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.
The Schengen short-stay visa uses the ICAO 35×45 mm photo — the specification most of the world’s document photos derive from. It’s harmonized across the ~29 Schengen states, but the upload mechanics are not: each consulate and outsourced portal enforces its own pixel and file rules on top.
The core spec
| Field | Schengen visa photo |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35×45 mm |
| Digital pixels | varies by consulate — commonly ≥400×514 px |
| 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 — 32–36 mm of a 45 mm frame, i.e. ~71–80% — 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
Related: ICAO 9303 explained · Germany & France national specs in the lookup · why photos get rejected.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Schengen visa photo the same as an EU passport photo?
The shape is shared — 35×45 mm with the face filling ~70–80% — because national passport photos across the EU derive from the same ICAO standard. But the visa spec is a harmonized checklist applied by consulates, while each state's passport photo has its own small variations.
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?
The published rule is a plain, light-coloured background — white, off-white or light grey all pass in practice. What's rejected is patterns, textures, scenery and shadows behind the head.