Schengen Visa Photo Requirements
Based on the official ICAO photograph guidelines and Schengen visa policy. Please follow the requirements below to avoid application delays.
| Specification | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Print size (ICAO) | 35 × 45 mm (width 35–40 mm accepted) |
| Face in frame | Head and shoulders; face 70–80% of photo height |
| Recency | No more than 6 months old |
| Background | Plain light-coloured, uniform lighting |
Always confirm the latest rules on the official government site before you submit.
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Can I print my own passport photo at home?
Will a home-printed photo be accepted?
What size should I print?
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
ICAO-style guidance uses about 35×45 mm (width often 35–40 mm) with the face filling roughly 70–80% of the photo height.
Can I use a US 2×2 inch photo for Schengen?
No. US squares are the wrong size and aspect ratio. Crop to 35×45 mm for Schengen posts.
Can you smile in a Schengen photo?
No. Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
What background should I use?
A plain light-coloured background with uniform lighting and no shadows across the face or behind the head.
Are glasses allowed?
Tinted lenses and heavy glare are refused. Clear lenses may be accepted if eyes are fully visible—many applicants remove glasses to be safe.
How recent must the photo be?
Usually no more than six months old and matching your current appearance.
Official poster overview
The photographs must be:
- • no more than 6-months old
- • 35–40mm in width
- • close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph
- • in sharp focus and clear
- • of high quality with no ink marks or creases
The photographs must:
- • show you looking directly at the camera
- • show your skin tones naturally
- • have appropriate brightness and contrast
- • be printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution
- • Digital camera photos must be high quality colour and printed on photo‑quality paper
Photograph quality — detailed examples
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • too close
- • too far away
- • blurred
- • ink marked/creased
- • looking away
- • unnatural skin tones
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • too dark
- • too light
- • washed out colour
- • pixelated
Style and lighting
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • hair across eyes
- • eyes closed
- • portrait style
- • eyes tilted
- • busy background
- • not centred
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • flash reflection on skin
- • redeye
- • shadows behind head
- • shadows across face
- • be colour neutral
- • show your eyes open and clearly visible — no hair across your eyes
- • facing square on to the camera, not looking over one shoulder (portrait style) or tilted, and showing both edges of your face clearly
- • taken with a plain light‑coloured background
- • taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflections on your face and no red eye
Glasses and head covers
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • dark tinted lenses
- • flash reflection on lenses
- • frames too heavy
- • frames covering eyes
Official notes:
- • show your eyes clearly with no flash reflection
- • no tinted lenses (avoid heavy frames where possible)
- • frames must not cover any part of your eyes
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • wearing a hat
- • wearing a cap
- • face covered
- • shadows across face
Official notes:
- • not permitted except for religious reasons
- • facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown
Expression and frame
Image contains ✓/✗ markers
Labels shown in the collage:
- • shows another person
- • mouth open and toy too close to face
Official notes:
- • show you alone (no chair backs, toys or other people visible)
- • looking at the camera with a neutral expression and your mouth closed