Schengen Visa Photo (35 x 45 mm): size and requirements
The Schengen Visa Photo size is 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches), or 827 x 1063 pixels for online upload (minimum 413 x 531), file under 500 KB. Uniform, shadow-free light grey background in clear contrast to face and hair; head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height. Photo taken within the last 6 months. Last verified 2026-09-30 against German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI).
For a short-stay Schengen visa (type C) application at any member state's consulate or visa centre. Also used by most member states for national visas. Not for a US, UK or Canadian visa, which have different sizes.
Requirements at a glance
- Size
- 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 inches), or 827 x 1063 pixels for online upload (minimum 413 x 531), file under 500 KB
- Head height
- Head 70 to 80 percent of the photo height (the face occupies 70 to 80 percent of the photo height, from the tip of the chin to the top of the head)
- Background
- uniform, shadow-free light grey background in clear contrast to face and hair
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera
- Glasses
- Allowed without glare or tint
- Head covering
- Only for religious or medical reasons; full face visible
- Photo age
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Prints needed
- 2
- We deliver
- 827 x 1063 px (600 DPI), under 500 KB, plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet
What trips people up
- CheckThe face must fill 70 to 80 percent of the height, which is larger than most people expect. A US-style 2 x 2 crop has too much space above the head.
- CheckSome member states (Germany, Austria, Netherlands) refuse a pure white background because it removes the contrast between hair and background. We default to light grey for Schengen.
- CheckVisa centres run by VFS or TLScontact usually take the photo on site for an extra fee; check whether your centre requires this before paying for one elsewhere.
- CheckMany consulates now upload the photo into the EU Visa Information System, so a digital copy on your phone is worth keeping.
Source and verification
Read from the official page and translated by us. Last checked 2026-09-30 at German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI).
Das Foto zeigt das Gesicht von der Kinnspitze bis zum oberen Kopfende. Das Gesicht nimmt 70 bis 80 % der Höhe des Fotos ein.
Der schattenfreie Hintergrund ist einfarbig und bildet zum Gesicht sowie zu den Haaren einen deutlichen Kontrast.
Kinder: Das Gesicht nimmt 50 bis 80 % der Höhe des Fotos ein.
Kopfbedeckungen sind nur aus religiösen Gründen zulässig.
Quotes are in German and translated on the page. The 35 x 45 mm size is the ICAO Doc 9303 standard used by every Schengen member state; the digital pixel targets are ours, chosen to print at 600 DPI and stay under common consulate upload caps.
We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.
Frequently asked questions
