Schengen Visa Photo Requirements

Schengen visa photo spec — 35×45 mm, head 32–36 mm (70–80%), plain light background — plus how consulate and portal upload rules differ.

Updated 2026-10-05

The Schengen short-stay visa commonly uses a 35×45 mm photo. Annex VI of the EU Visa Code sets the head height at 70–80% of the image; on a 45 mm-high print this is about 32–36 mm. Consulates and outsourced portals can add local photo or upload details, so confirm the rules for the channel you use.

The core spec

Field	Schengen visa photo
Print size	35×45 mm
Digital pixels	varies by consulate / application portal
Head size (crown→chin)	32–36 mm (71–80%)
File limit	varies by consulate — JPEG is the safe choice
Background	plain light (white / light grey)
Photo age	≤6 months
Glasses	discouraged — remove if possible
Expression	neutral, mouth closed, eyes open

One photo spec, many upload rules. The 35×45 mm / 32–36 mm head spec itself doesn't change between Schengen states — what changes is the channel. A consulate's own form, VFS Global, BLS International and TLScontact each publish their own pixel window and byte cap for digital submissions. The photo you print for the appointment and the file you upload beforehand are governed by different documents; check the specific portal's photo page, not just the EU-level checklist.

The ICAO reading

The head band — 70–80% of the image height under the EU Visa Code, or about 32–36 mm on a 45 mm print — is tighter than the US 50–69%. This is the single most common mismatch: a photo composed to the looser American framing leaves too much air above the head for Schengen. If you’re re-cropping one shoot for multiple applications, the Schengen version needs the face noticeably larger in frame.

Other checklist items that get enforced at the counter:

Face position: centred, frontal, both sides of the face evenly lit — a cheek closer to the camera than the other fails symmetry checks.
Eyes: open, visible, looking at the lens; red-eye and heavy shadows under the eyes are rejection triggers.
Head coverings: only for religious or medical reasons, and even then the face from chin to forehead must be fully visible.
Print quality: high-resolution print on photo-quality paper — a home inkjet on plain paper fails the “print quality” line even when the image is compliant.

Sources

SourceEU Visa Code — Annex VI, photograph section (70–80% head-height rule); European Commission visa policy. Your filing portal (VFS, BLS, TLScontact, or consulate form) sets local photo and upload details.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Schengen visa photo the same as an EU passport photo?

The common print format is 35×45 mm. Annex VI of the EU Visa Code specifies head height at 70–80% of the image; on a 45 mm-high print that is about 32–36 mm. Consular checklists and national passport rules may add their own details.

Which Schengen country's rules apply to my application?

The consulate (or outsourced visa centre) you actually file through. The photo spec itself is harmonized, but upload mechanics — pixel minimums, file caps, online pre-checks — are set by the individual portal: VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or the consulate's own form.

Can I smile or tilt my head slightly?

No — the checklist wants a neutral expression, mouth closed, head square to the camera with eyes open and visible. Even a slight tilt is among the measured rejection reasons, because the biometric checks expect a frontal pose.

Is a white background required for a Schengen visa photo?

Use a plain, light-coloured background and confirm the local checklist. What's rejected is patterns, textures, scenery and shadows behind the head.