Schengen / EU Visa · photo requirements
A Schengen Visa photo is 35 × 45 mm
Short answer
A Schengen Visa photo must be 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in), usually 413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI, with a light grey background and head height 70–80% of the frame. PicsForm maps this to EU Visa Code (Schengen) — not a single national authority (eur-lex.europa.eu) for Schengen / EU Visa, last checked Aug 18, 2026.
Official rule table
Values below are the PicsForm catalog mapping, not a screenshot of the government site.
| Requirement | Official rule (catalog) |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
| Digital size | 413 × 531 px @ 300 DPI |
| Background | light grey (#E6E6E6) |
| Head size | 70–80% of frame (31.5–36.0 mm (1.24–1.42 in)) |
| Eye line from bottom | 55–70% |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed |
| Headwear | Fashion hats not permitted; religious covering only where policy allows |
| File size | Typically ≤ 5000 KB |
How to make this photo
- Stand 1.5–2 metres from the camera, camera at eye height, against a plain light grey wall.
- Include the top of the hair, both ears if the document requires them, and the upper shoulders — do not crop at the neck.
- Open Create with Schengen Visa selected, upload the portrait, and read the compliance report.
- If the verdict is Retake, fix the listed official rule and photograph again. Do not pay for a photo that still fails a hard rule.
Why photos like this get rejected
- Head height outside the official band
- Chin sitting on the bottom edge (shoulders missing)
- Glasses glare or tinted lenses where glasses are not permitted
- Shadows or a non-plain background
- Wrong pixel size or file too large for the portal
Questions
- What size is a Schengen Visa photo?
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in). Digital export in this catalog is 413 × 531 px at 300 DPI.
- What is the Schengen Visa photo size in pixels?
- 413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI in the PicsForm catalog. Re-check the live portal if it publishes a different pixel cap.
- Can I wear glasses in a Schengen Visa photo?
- Not permitted
- Can I smile in a Schengen Visa photo?
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- What background does a Schengen Visa photo need?
- Plain light grey (#E6E6E6). Keep it even — no pattern, shadow, or extra people.
- What head size does Schengen Visa require?
- Chin-to-crown should occupy 70–80% of the photo height (31.5 mm (1.24 in) to 36.0 mm (1.42 in)).
- Can I take a Schengen Visa photo with my phone?
- Yes, if the camera is at eye level, the face is sharp, lighting is even, and the crop matches the published size. PicsForm can check a phone portrait against this document’s catalog rules. It cannot invent missing shoulders or guarantee an embassy will accept the file.
- Can I use an old Schengen Visa photo?
- Most authorities want a recent likeness (often within six months) that still looks like you. Reuse an old file only if it still matches the current size, background, and appearance rules.
Source method
- PicsForm does not invent photo specifications.
- Each catalog row is mapped to a published government or issuing-authority page when a URL exists.
- Where a rule is ambiguous (for example a visa processed by a local VAC with extra crop rules), the product labels Review instead of treating a guess as compliance.
- Last-checked dates record when a human last opened the official page. They are not a government certification.