Schengen Visa Passport Photo Requirements
A Schengen visa passport photo must be 35×45 mm with a head height of 30–36 mm on a plain white background, with a neutral expression — no smiling. This page lists the full EU spec and how to get it right at home.
Schengen (EU) passport photo — official specifications
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (35 × 45 mm) |
| Head height (chin to top of hair) | 30–36 mm |
| Eye line from bottom edge | Upper third of the photo |
| Background | Plain white |
| Print type | Photo paper, matte or glossy |
- • Taken within the last 6 months for visa applications
- • Neutral expression — mouth closed, eyes open, no smiling
- • No glasses, hats, or head coverings
- • Photo must be a true likeness — no filters, retouching or red-eye removal
- • Digital submission must meet the exact pixel specifications of each member state
How to take a compliant Schengen visa passport photo
- Hang a plain white backdrop or stand against a light grey wall in even daylight.
- Look straight at the camera, mouth closed, neutral expression, both eyes open.
- Keep the full head in frame — from chin to the top of the skull — with the head centred.
- Crop to 35×45 mm with head height between 30 and 36 mm.
- Save the digital file at 600×650 px or larger for online applications.
Schengen visa photo standards explained
The Schengen visa photo standards are set by each member state and are strictly enforced. Every photo that does not meet these specifications is automatically rejected, regardless of how good the rest of the application is.
- Size: 35 × 45 mm — this is the standard Schengen visa photo size.
- Head height: 30–36 mm, measured from the chin to the top of the skull (not the hair).
- Background: Plain white — must be even, with no shadows, patterns, or objects behind the head.
- Expression: Neutral — mouth closed, no smiling, both eyes open and clearly visible, facing the camera directly.
- Glasses: Generally not allowed; if worn, they must have no tint or reflection.
- Head position: Centered in the frame, with the full head visible from chin to the top of the skull.
- Photo quality: Sharp focus, no motion blur, even lighting with no harsh shadows. The photo must be a true likeness — no filters, no retouching, no red-eye removal.
- Print: On real photo paper (matte or glossy). A screenshot printed on standard paper is rejected.
Make your Schengen (EU) passport photo free
Upload a photo — get the exact 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) crop, background removed and head-size checked. In your browser, nothing uploaded.
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