Schengen Visa Photo Requirements (2026) — One Photo for 27 Countries
Schengen visa photo specifications used by all 27 EU/EFTA member states: 35 × 45 mm, light grey background, ICAO biometric framing, 70–80% face coverage. Country-by-country submission rules and the difference vs. national passport photos.
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TL;DR — Schengen visa photo specifications
- Size: 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
- Digital: 413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI, JPEG format
- Background: Light grey or off-white (pure white universally accepted)
- Head coverage: 70 – 80% of photo height (ICAO 9303 Part 4)
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, no glasses
- Photo age: Taken within the last 6 months
- Regulation: EC Regulation 2252/2004 + ICAO Doc 9303 overlay
All 27 Schengen Area member states
The same photo specification applies whether you're submitting to:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
You only need one Schengen-compliant photo. The consulate of the country where you'll spend the most time (or first arrive, if equal) handles the visa.
How to take a Schengen visa photo at home
- Plain wall background — white or very light grey. Avoid textures or patterns.
- Stand 0.5 m from the wall to prevent shadow casting.
- Even daylight or two soft lamps. Schengen consulates are strict on uniform lighting.
- Phone at eye level, 1.2 m away, vertically held.
- Face the camera, mouth closed, eyes open, neutral expression. No glasses, religious head coverings allowed if face is fully visible.
- Capture 20+ shots in burst mode, pick the cleanest.
- Upload to our Schengen visa tool — produces the 35 × 45 mm JPEG and a 6-up 4 × 6 print sheet for kiosk pickup.
Schengen vs. UK vs. US — which photo for which country
| Destination | Size | Background | Compatible with Schengen photo? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen visa (any of 27 countries) | 35 × 45 mm | Light grey / white | Native |
| UK visa or passport | 35 × 45 mm | Light grey / cream | Yes — same size |
| US passport / visa | 51 × 51 mm | Plain white | No — different size |
| Indian passport | 51 × 51 mm | Plain white | No — different size |
| Canadian passport | 50 × 70 mm | Plain white | No — different size |
Common Schengen visa photo rejection reasons
- Photo wrong size (e.g., printed at 2 × 2 inches instead of 35 × 45 mm)
- Background too dark or patterned
- Visible shadows on face or background
- Eyes closed or partially closed
- Smile or open mouth
- Glasses worn (banned in 2018)
- Photo older than 6 months
- Hair covering eyes or eyebrows
- Photo on non-photo paper (regular printer paper rejected)
- Compressed photo (sent via messenger app before upload)
Frequently asked questions
What is the size of a Schengen visa photo?
35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) at 300 DPI, equivalent to 413 × 531 pixels. The same size used by the UK and most of Asia. The Schengen format is governed by EC Regulation 2252/2004 and aligns with ICAO Doc 9303 Part 4 biometric framing standards.
Can I use the same photo for any Schengen country?
Yes. All 27 Schengen Area member states use the same 35 × 45 mm photo specification with identical biometric framing rules. One Schengen-compliant photo works for a Schengen visa submitted via any member state's consulate — Spain, France, Germany, Italy, etc.
What background color does Schengen require?
Most Schengen consulates prefer light grey or off-white. Some accept plain white. The EU regulation specifies a uniform light background without shadows or patterns. Pure white is the safest universal starting point — it's accepted by every consulate.
Is the Schengen visa photo the same as a Schengen national passport photo?
Yes for the dimensions and biometric rules — both use the 35 × 45 mm ICAO-aligned format. The only operational difference is that national passport applications go through the country's domestic passport office, while Schengen visas go through the consulate where you apply. Photos are interchangeable.
Does the Schengen visa photo expire?
The photo must be taken within the last 6 months. Schengen consulates are stricter on this than most non-EU authorities — they have rejected photos that appear obviously dated even within the 6-month window.
Can I print Schengen visa photos in the US?
Yes. Our 4×6 print sheet packs 6 Schengen-format (35 × 45 mm) photos onto a single 4 × 6 sheet. Print at any US kiosk (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, FedEx) for $0.13 – $0.49 per sheet. The Schengen consulate accepts US-printed photos as long as the dimensions match.
How many photos do I need for a Schengen visa application?
Most consulates require 1 – 2 printed photos with the application packet. Italy and France often want 2. Our 4 × 6 sheet contains 6 copies, giving you enough for the primary application plus extras for the embassy interview if requested.
What about Schengen visa photos for children and babies?
Same 35 × 45 mm format with relaxed expression rules for children under 6. See our dedicated baby passport photo guide for the home-capture method that produces compliant Schengen baby visa photos.
Make your Schengen visa photo now
Open the tool with the Schengen visa template pre-loaded: Schengen visa photo. For a specific consulate's national passport rules see also Germany, France, Italy, Spain, or browse all 100+ countries.