Schengen visa and EU passport photo requirements
Schengen states share one photo standard, based on ICAO rules: a 35×45 mm portrait with a large head, on a light plain background. Individual consulates add small variations, and the country you apply to in has the final say.
Crop to this size
Opens the cropper with 35 × 45 mm already selected.
At a glance
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Photo size in inches | 1⅜ × 1¾ in |
| Pixels at 300 ppi | 413 × 531 px |
| Orientation | Portrait |
| Head height | 32–36 mm from chin to crown — about 70–80% of the photo height |
| Background | Light and plain: white, off-white, light grey, cream or light blue |
35×45 mm at 300 ppi is 413×531 px, the size most consulate upload forms expect.
What the photo must show
- Photo age. Taken within the last 6 months.
- Expression. Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible.
- Glasses. Remove them if you can. Thick frames, tinted lenses and any reflection are refused.
- Headwear. Allowed only for religious or medical reasons, and never covering the face from chin to forehead.
- Quantity. Most consulates ask for two identical prints.
- Print quality. Sharp, on photographic paper, with no ink marks or creases. Do not send a scan of a scan.
- Contrast. The background must contrast with your hair and clothing.
Digital photo for online applications
- Format
- JPEG, sRGB, 300 ppi
- Dimensions
- 413×531 px (35×45 mm at 300 ppi)
- File size
- Most portals accept roughly 10 kB to 1 MB — the upload form states its own limit
Common reasons photos get rejected
- A dark or patterned background, including grey walls that photograph darker than they look.
- A head that is too small in the frame — the most common Schengen refusal.
- Glare on the face or a visible flash hotspot.
- An old photo, or one taken for a previous application.
Official sources
- European Commission — visa policyThe legal framework behind the shared Schengen photo standard.
- Germany — Federal Foreign OfficeGerman missions publish the strictest and most detailed version of the 35×45 mm rule.
- France — service-public.fr, ID photo rulesThe French rules for identity and travel document photos.
- Italy — Ministero degli Affari EsteriItalian visa and passport guidance, including photo specifications.
Because each Schengen country runs its own consulates, always open the page of the consulate that will handle your application. If their photo page contradicts this summary, follow theirs.
Reviewed October 2026. Requirements change — always confirm with the official source above before you apply.