Why is the Spanish DNI photo smaller than Schengen?

Spain's national ID and passport print format is 30×40 mm. Schengen visas follow the EU 35×45 mm biometric standard — they are not interchangeable.

Where is the DNI photo guidance?

Official DNIe portal guidance linked from our es-passport catalog record.

🇪🇸 Spain

Spanish passport, DNI & Schengen visa photo requirements

Spanish passport and DNI photos use 30×40 mm with a white background — smaller than the 35×45 mm Schengen format used for Spanish visa applications. Mixing the two sizes is a common rejection. PicsForm maps both catalog documents for cropping checks; this is not government certification. Last verified 2026-08-18.

Create photo for Spain

Spanish Passport / DNI

30×40 mm · white bg

Spanish / Schengen Visa

35×45 mm · light grey bg

Documents covered in this hub

Pick DNI/passport vs Schengen visa before you crop — the millimetre sizes differ.

Spanish Passport / DNI — 30×40 mm, white background
Spanish / Schengen Visa — 35×45 mm, plain light background, often max ~240 KB digital

Key Spain photo rules

Neutral expression, no glasses, plain background. For DNI/passport keep the tighter 30×40 frame; for Schengen use the EU biometric 35×45 band.

Common rejection reasons

Submitting 35×45 for a DNI/passport that needs 30×40
Submitting 30×40 for a Schengen visa
Shadows or busy backgrounds
Smiling
Glasses

Quick links

Document-specific guides:

/spain-passport-photo — Spanish Passport / DNI specs
/spain-visa-photo — Spanish / Schengen Visa specs
/countries/schengen — EU Visa Code hub

Spanish Passport / DNI — catalog specs

Size: 30×40 mm (354×472 px @ 300 DPI)
Head height: 70–80% of frame height
Eye line: 55–70% from bottom
Background: white (#FFFFFF)
Smile: not allowed — neutral expression
Glasses: not allowed
Head coverings: not allowed (except religious/medical where permitted)
Max file size (when specified): 5000 KB
Print size: 1.18×1.57 in

Create Spanish Passport / DNI photo →

Spanish / Schengen Visa — catalog specs

Size: 35×45 mm (413×531 px @ 300 DPI)
Head height: 70–80% of frame height
Eye line: 55–70% from bottom
Background: light grey (#F0F0F0)
Smile: not allowed — neutral expression
Glasses: not allowed
Head coverings: not allowed (except religious/medical where permitted)
Max file size (when specified): 240 KB
Print size: 1.38×1.77 in

Create Spanish / Schengen Visa photo →

FAQ

Why is the Spanish DNI photo smaller than Schengen?: Spain's national ID and passport print format is 30×40 mm. Schengen visas follow the EU 35×45 mm biometric standard — they are not interchangeable.
Where is the DNI photo guidance?: Official DNIe portal guidance linked from our es-passport catalog record.

Other country hubs

PicsForm matches photos to published requirements. This is not legal or immigration advice and does not guarantee application approval. Always confirm current rules on the official portal.