Schengen Visa Photo: Size, Requirements & Free Maker Schengen Visa Photo requirements (2026)
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to crown) | 32 – 36 mm |
| Digital size | 413 × 531 px (accepted: 35×45 mm at 300 DPI) |
| File size | Not specified |
| Format | JPEG (.jpg), colour |
| Background | Plain white or light grey |
| Glasses | Avoid glasses. If you must wear them: clear lenses, no glare, frames not covering the eyes. |
⚠ Compiled from Schengen / ICAO 9303 biometric photo standard (via visa centre guides). We could not confirm every number on an official government page, so please check the checklist from your embassy or visa centre before you print. Last checked October 2026.
Good to know
- Used for short-stay visas to all 29 Schengen countries (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Netherlands…).
- Taken within the last 6 months.
- Most applications need 1–2 identical printed photos; some visa centres take your photo or a digital upload.
Visa centres (VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS) or the embassy in your country can add their own rules — check their checklist before you print.
Schengen Visa Photo size in cm, inches and pixels
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77 in |
| Pixels for online upload | 413 × 531 px (accepted: 35×45 mm at 300 DPI) |
| Pixels for printing (300 DPI) | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels for printing (600 DPI) | 827 × 1063 px |
| Aspect ratio (width:height) | 7:9 |
How to make your Schengen visa photo at home
- Take the photo. Stand in front of a plain wall in soft daylight. Have someone take the picture at eye level, showing your head and shoulders.
- Upload it above. The tool finds your face, straightens it, removes the background and sizes your head to 32–36 mm.
- Check and adjust. Use the guides and the photo check. Drag or use the sliders if you want a different crop.
- Download. Get the 413 × 531 px file for online forms, or a 4×6 in / A4 sheet to print and cut.
Common reasons a Schengen visa photo is rejected
- Shadows on the face or behind the head.
- Head too big or too small — the head height must be 32–36 mm.
- Smiling, mouth open, or eyes not clearly visible.
- Glare on glasses, or hair covering the eyes or eyebrows.
- Blurry, low-resolution, or heavily filtered photos (no beauty filters).
- An old photo — most countries want one taken within the last 6 months.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm, or 1.38 × 1.77 in). The head, measured from the chin to the top of the head, must be 32–36 mm tall.
What is the Schengen visa photo size in pixels?
For online applications use 413 × 531 px (accepted: 35×45 mm at 300 DPI). For printing, the photo is 413 × 531 px at 300 DPI. The downloads from this tool are already at these sizes.
Is there a free Schengen visa photo checker?
Yes — the tool above checks your photo after you upload it: head size, head tilt, facing the camera, eyes open, neutral expression and resolution. It flags problems before you submit, though only the issuing authority can make the final decision.
What background colour is required?
Plain white or light grey, with no shadows, patterns or objects. The tool replaces your background automatically.
Can I wear glasses?
Avoid glasses. If you must wear them: clear lenses, no glare, frames not covering the eyes.
Can I take the photo with my phone?
Yes. Ask someone to take it at eye level from about 1.2 m away, in soft even light, against any plain wall. Upload it here and the tool crops, sizes and cleans the background. Then download the digital file or print the sheet.
How do I print it?
Download the 4×6 in or A4 print sheet and print it at 100% (“actual size”) on photo paper — at home or at any photo kiosk. Cut along the grey lines.