Schengen Visa Photo Size — 35×45mm for All 29 Countries

One photo standard covers the whole Schengen Area — 29 countries including France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. You do not need a different photo for each embassy. The face must fill 70–80% of the frame, which is more than most people expect.

Schengen Area passport photo specifications

Printed size

35 × 45 mm · 413 × 531 px

Head height (chin to crown)

32 – 36 mm

Background

Background: plain light colour (cream or light grey)

Photo age limit

Taken within 6 months

Glasses

Not allowed

Prints to submit

2 identical prints

Rules specific to Schengen Area

• 35×45mm, with the head 32–36mm from chin to crown — the face should occupy 70–80% of the frame.
• Glasses have been prohibited since 2011. This applies even to thin frames and clear lenses.
• White or very light grey background, with clear contrast between your face and the backdrop.
• Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and looking straight at the camera.
• Head coverings are only accepted when worn for religious reasons, and the full face from chin to forehead must remain visible.
• Taken within the last 6 months.
• Two identical prints are usually requested at the visa centre.
• The 29 member states are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Why passport photos get rejected

• Head too large or too small. This is the single most common reason, and the one people notice least — the canvas size can be perfect while the head is out of range.
• Shadow behind the head, usually from standing too close to a wall. Step a metre away from the background.
• Smiling, or mouth slightly open. Neutral expression means neutral.
• Hair covering an eye, or a fringe casting a shadow across the eyes.
• Uneven lighting that leaves one side of the face darker than the other.
• A photo that has been retouched, filtered, or run through an AI beauty tool. Most authorities now check for this and reject it outright.

Other countries