Schengen Visa Photo Specs
One size fits all 27 member states, yet applicants keep failing on one thing: many prepare a pure white background, which is exactly what Schengen consulates reject most often.
Generate a photo that matches the spec above — processed locally, never uploaded, no sign-up, with a 6-inch print sheet if you need paper copies.
Make a photo to this specSpecification · Schengen Visa Photo Specs
| Size | 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 px at 300 dpi), portrait orientation |
|---|---|
| Face coverage | 70%-80% of the image height (chin to forehead about 32-36 mm) |
| Background | Light grey, light blue or another plain light colour. Pure white is the most common rejection reason unless the consulate explicitly allows it |
| Quantity | Most consulates require two identical printed photos |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking at the camera, head straight |
| Glasses | Discouraged under ICAO guidance; if worn there must be no glare, tint or frame across the eyes |
| Facial detail | Hairline, eyebrows and both ears must be visible; hair must not cover the eyes |
| Editing | Cropping and background replacement only — no retouching, filters or changes to facial features |
How to shoot a photo that matches
- Shoot against a light grey wall, not a white one —— A white wall under flash turns into an uneven grey gradient that reads as a shadow, which is worse. A grey backdrop is the safest choice.
- Select the 35 x 45 mm preset in our tool —— It outputs 413 x 531 px, exactly the 35 x 45 mm format at 300 dpi.
- Enlarge the face to 70%-80% of the frame height —— Zoom so the chin-to-forehead span dominates the frame, leaving a small gap above the head and a sliver of shoulder below.
- Swap the background to light grey rather than white —— Use the background colour control in the tool — a one-click replacement is faster than reshooting.
- Print two identical photos without cropping into the head —— Schengen photos must still show the top of the head and the top of the shoulders. Cropping too tight reads as a framing violation.
All 27 Schengen states share one photo standard based on ICAO rules, so you will not run into a different size per country. What does vary is the background preference.
This is the counter-intuitive part: a pure white background is a high-risk choice for a Schengen application. Most consulates ask for light grey or light blue, and a white background is read as insufficient contrast between the face and the backdrop. The US, by contrast, requires pure white. If you are preparing both sets of documents, never swap the photos between them.
The second most common failure is a face that is too small. Schengen wants the face to fill 70%-80% of the frame height, noticeably stricter than the US range of 50%-69%. A default portrait crop often lands near 50% and has to be re-cropped and enlarged.
FAQ
Must a Schengen photo have a light grey background?
Not absolutely. Most consulates ask for light grey or a light colour, and a few (Spain, for example) explicitly accept white. When in doubt, light grey is safer — it is accepted almost everywhere, while pure white is refused in several countries.
Can I reuse my US visa photo?
Not recommended. The size differs (51 x 51 mm versus 35 x 45 mm) and so does the background rule. Even after re-cropping, a pure white background can still be rejected on the Schengen side.
Are glasses allowed?
Most consulates discourage them under ICAO guidance. If you must wear them, make sure there is no tint, no glare, no frame across the eyes and no shadow — removing them is simpler.
Do I need both a digital and a printed photo?
Most Schengen consulates still work with printed photos, usually two. A few member states accept digital uploads through their online portal — follow the checklist for the visa centre you booked with.
Why was my background called "shadowed"?
Usually because the photo was taken too close to a wall, leaving a gradient from the flash. Stand at least half a metre away, or switch to a light grey backdrop.