Schengen / EU · Passport / Visa Photo

Schengen Visa Photo Size & Specs

A Schengen visa photo is 35×45 mm with a white or light grey background. It follows ICAO biometric standards — the face must fill 70–80% of the frame, eyes must be on a horizontal line about ⅔ from the bottom, and the expression must be neutral with the mouth closed. The same photo is generally accepted by all 27 Schengen-area embassies and consulates.

Official spec

Size: 35×45 mm at 300 DPI
Background: Plain white or light grey
Head height: Face 70–80% of photo height (about 32–36 mm chin to crown)
At 300 DPI: 413 × 531 px

Accepted for

Schengen short-stay visa
Schengen long-stay visa (national D-visa)
EU residence permits in most member states

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Rules that get checked

Neutral expression with mouth closed.
Both eyes open, looking directly forward.
No glasses (banned in most Schengen states since 2020).
Hair must not cover the face or eyes.
No head coverings except for religious reasons.

Common reasons photos get rejected

These are the issues passport / visa authorities flag most often for Schengen / EU applications. Most are avoidable with a careful re-shoot or the AI background tool.

Background is not uniform — even a slight gradient or shadow on the wall fails.
Face takes up less than 70% of the frame (too zoomed out).
Glasses with reflections or thick frames.
Smiling or non-neutral expression.
Photo printed on regular paper, not photo paper (for in-person applications).

FAQs

Is the Schengen visa photo the same across all 27 countries?

Yes — they all follow ICAO 9303 biometric standards. One photo is accepted by France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, etc.

Can I wear glasses?

No. Glasses were banned in most Schengen states (Germany, France, Netherlands) starting around 2020. Take them off for the photo even if you wear them daily.

How biometric does the photo need to be?

The face must occupy 70–80% of the frame, the head must be centered, and the eyes must be approximately horizontal. ImageSuite's Schengen preset enforces those proportions automatically.