Schengen visa photo – 35 x 45 mm, face 70–80%, and the mistakes consulates reject
Updated 17 October 2026
A Schengen visa photo is 35–40 mm wide, usually 35 x 45 mm, in colour, no more than 6 months old, with a close-up of your head and the top of your shoulders so your face takes up 70–80% of the photo, on a plain light-coloured background. The same rules apply for every Schengen country, although individual consulates and visa centres can add their own.
The Schengen photo rules
From the European Commission’s photo guidelines for Schengen visa applicants:
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width | 35–40 mm (usually 35 x 45 mm) |
| Face | 70–80% of the photo, head and top of shoulders |
| Background | Plain, light-coloured |
| Lighting | Even, no shadows or flash reflections, no red eye |
| Pose | Facing the camera square on, eyes open, mouth closed, neutral expression |
| Glasses | Allowed if the eyes are clearly visible, no tinted lenses or reflections |
| Head covering | Only for religious reasons, with the face from chin to forehead visible |
| Age of photo | No more than 6 months old |
| Quality | Sharp, natural skin tones, printed on high-quality photo paper |
What gets a Schengen photo rejected
The guidelines show examples of photos that fail. The most common are:
- Too far away or too close. The face has to fill 70–80% of the photo, so a photo from the waist up is too far, and a face cropped at the forehead is too close.
- Busy background or shadows behind the head. Stand away from the wall and light your face evenly.
- Looking away or posing portrait-style. Face the camera square on, so both edges of your face are visible.
- Shadows across the face or flash reflections. Use daylight from a window in front of you rather than a flash.
- Hair across the eyes, eyes closed or mouth open.
- Tinted glasses, heavy frames or glare on the lenses. If you can, take your glasses off.
- Hats or caps, unless worn for religious reasons.
- Another person or object in the shot, such as a chair back, toy or a hand holding a child.
- Poor print quality: blurred, pixelated, too dark, washed out, or printed on ordinary paper with ink marks or creases.
Getting the photo right
- Stand about 50 cm in front of a plain light wall, facing a window in daylight.
- Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression and your mouth closed.
- Ask someone to take the photo from 1–2 m away at eye level, framed from the chest up.
- Upload it to the Schengen visa photo tool. It crops it to 35 x 45 mm with your face at 70–80%, and you can add a 4x6” print sheet to print at any photo lab.
Some consulates and visa centres also take photos on site or add their own rules. Check the requirements of the country you are applying to, which makes the final decision.
Common questions
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
The European Commission guidelines ask for a photo 35–40 mm wide, with your face taking up 70–80% of it. The usual size is 35 x 45 mm.
What background does a Schengen visa photo need?
A plain, light-coloured background, with even lighting and no shadows behind your head. Consulates can add their own rules, so check the one you apply to.
Can I wear glasses in a Schengen visa photo?
Yes, if your eyes are clearly visible, there is no flash reflection on the lenses, the lenses are not tinted and the frames don't cover any part of your eyes.
How old can a Schengen visa photo be?
No more than 6 months old.