RequirementsUpdated
Schengen visa photo requirements
The photo rules in the European Commission’s guidelines for Schengen visas: size, face size, background, glasses and expression, and how to make a fitting photo.
Make a Schengen visa photo
In short
- Size: 35 to 40 mm wide; 35 × 45 mm is the usual format.
- Face: 70 to 80% of the photo, close-up of head and top of shoulders.
- Background: plain, light-coloured, with even light and no shadows.
- Eyes open and clear; no tinted lenses or glare; neutral expression, mouth closed.
- Taken in the last 6 months, sharp, natural skin tones, printed on photo-quality paper.
The rules at a glance
| Rule | Schengen visa photo |
|---|---|
| Size | 35 to 40 mm wide (35 × 45 mm is standard) |
| Face size | 70 to 80% of the photo |
| Background | Plain, light-coloured |
| Glasses | Eyes clearly visible; no tint, no glare, frames not over the eyes |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, looking at the camera |
| How recent | No more than 6 months old |
| High quality paper and resolution, no creases or ink marks |
Each Schengen country’s consulate can add details, such as an exact size or a digital upload. Read the page of the consulate you apply to before you print.
Make one with CutLift
CutLift’s passport photo maker supports 203 documents, including the Schengen visa at 35 × 45 mm. It runs 14 checks, sizes the photo to the document’s mm and replaces the background. The checks and the preview are free. The clean photo and the 4×6 print sheet cost $3.99 per document, or are included in CutLift Pro. The photo is processed on your device, not uploaded. No government guarantees acceptance of a photo made with any tool, so check the result against the official page.
- 1Open your photoOpen a front-facing photo in the passport photo maker and pick the document.
- 2Read the checksThe 14 checks (head size, tilt, eyes, light and more) are free and tell you what to retake.
- 3Fit and levelThe tool scales, levels and moves your photo to the document’s size in mm. It never reshapes your face.
- 4Set the backgroundReplace the background with the colour the document asks for.
- 5Save or printSave the digital file, or make a 4×6 print sheet to print at a photo shop.
Questions
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
The guidelines say 35 to 40 mm wide. The usual format is 35 × 45 mm.
How big should my face be in the photo?
Your face should take up 70 to 80% of the photograph.
What background should I use?
A plain, light-coloured background with even light and no shadows.
Can I wear glasses?
Your eyes must be clearly visible, with no tinted lenses, no glare and frames not covering the eyes.
How recent must the photo be?
No more than 6 months old.
Sources
Checked on 9 November 2026. Rules change: if something here is out of date, tell us at [email protected].