Schengen Visa Photo Requirements 2026
All 27 Schengen area countries use the same biometric photo standard — 35×45 mm, plain white background, ICAO-compliant face position. Prescription glasses are allowed if lenses are clear with no reflections. This guide covers every requirement and shows you how to take and validate your Schengen visa photo at home for free.
Which countries require a Schengen visa photo?
The 27 Schengen countries all use the same photo standard: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. All follow the ICAO Doc 9303 biometric standard for visa photos.
Schengen visa photo specifications at a glance
Size
35 × 45 mm
Background
plain white or very light grey
Face height
32–36 mm (chin to crown, 70–80% of frame)
Expression
neutral, mouth closed
Eyes
open, clearly visible; prescription glasses allowed if clear lenses, no tint, no reflections
Head position
straight, looking directly at camera
Print quality
minimum 300 DPI
Validity
taken within the last 6 months
How to take a compliant Schengen visa photo
Use a plain white or very light background
Schengen visa photos require a plain white or very light grey background. The background must be uniform with no patterns, shadows, or objects. This is the same standard as ICAO biometric photos.
- Stand 50 cm (20 in) from the wall to prevent shadows on the background
- White is always accepted — light grey usually is too
- Avoid cream, beige, or any coloured background
- idpic.app automatically replaces the background with the correct colour
Get even, shadow-free lighting
Schengen visa photos follow ICAO standards, which prohibit any shadows on the face or background. Even, diffused light is required.
- Face a window — natural diffused daylight is the best light source
- Never stand with a window behind you (creates dark, backlit photos)
- Avoid direct sunlight — it creates harsh shadows under your nose and chin
- If you are indoors, use two lamps at 45° on either side of your face.
- No flash — it creates uneven lighting and red-eye
Position your face correctly
Your face must be centred, straight, and fill 70–80% of the photo height (32–36 mm in a 45 mm photo). This is the standard ICAO biometric face position requirement.
- Look directly at the camera — no turning or tilting
- Neutral expression: mouth closed, face relaxed
- Eyes must be fully open and clearly visible
- Prescription glasses are allowed if lenses are clear, no tint, no reflections — remove if in doubt
- Hair must not cover your eyes, eyebrows, or the outline of your face
- No head coverings unless worn for religious reasons
Validate your photo for free
Open your photo in idpic.app. The AI checks all Schengen/ICAO requirements: background, face position, eye openness, expression, brightness, and resolution. It then resizes to exactly 35×45 mm and exports a print-ready file.
- No account or sign-up needed
- Your photos never leave your device
- Checks all ICAO biometric requirements used by the Schengen area
- Download a print-ready 35×45 mm photo
Common reasons Schengen visa photos are rejected
Tinted glasses or sunglasses (prescription glasses with clear lenses are allowed)
Shadows on face or background
Face height outside 32–36 mm range
Head tilted, turned, or chin raised
Smiling or open mouth
Eyes not fully open or not looking at camera
Coloured or patterned background
Photo taken more than 6 months ago
Low resolution or pixelated image
Related resources
Frequently asked questions
What are the Schengen visa photo requirements?
A Schengen visa photo must be 35×45 mm with a plain white or light grey background. Your face (chin to crown) must be 32–36 mm tall (70–80% of the photo height). Expression must be neutral, eyes open. Prescription glasses are allowed if lenses are clear, with no tint or reflections — remove them if in doubt. The photo must be taken within the last 6 months and printed at minimum 300 DPI.
Which countries require a Schengen visa photo?
The 27 Schengen area countries all use the same photo standard: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Is a Schengen visa photo the same as an ICAO photo?
Yes. Schengen visa photos follow ICAO Doc 9303 biometric standards, which is the same standard used for biometric passports. The size (35×45 mm) and face position requirements are identical to ICAO. Some embassies may have minor additional requirements, so always check the specific embassy's guidelines.
Can I wear glasses in a Schengen visa photo?
Prescription glasses are allowed if the lenses are clear (no tint) and there are no reflections obscuring your eyes. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not permitted. When in doubt, remove your glasses — it avoids any risk of rejection.
How is a Schengen visa photo different from a national ID photo?
Schengen visa photos follow ICAO biometric standards (35×45 mm, white background, face 70–80%). National ID photos vary by country — for example, German national ID photos are 35×45 mm but some EU countries use different sizes. Always check your specific embassy or consulate requirements.
Can I use the same photo for multiple Schengen visa applications?
Only if the photo was taken within the last 6 months at the time of each application, and the photo still accurately resembles you. Most embassies require a recent photo — using an old photo may result in rejection.
Validate your Schengen visa photo for free
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