Photos stay on your deviceالعربية

Schengen visa photo size and requirements

Print size
35 × 45 mm
Online upload
413 × 531 px
Background
White or light grey
Format
JPEG

A Schengen visa photo is a 35 × 45 mm biometric colour photo taken in the last 6 months, with the face taking up 70–80% of the height (32–36 mm from the chin to the top of the head) on a white or light plain background.

Print size35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Online upload413 × 531 px · JPEGSchengen states publishes no value; VisaSize uses 413 × 531 px
File sizenot specified by Schengen states
BackgroundWhite or light grey
Head size70–80% · 32–36 mm (chin to top of head)

Checked 13 October 2026Source: German Missions in India: Schengen visa checklist

Make your Schengen visa photoStep 1 of 4 · Your photo
Drop a photo hereor

Best result: stand against a plain light wall, face a window, look straight at the camera.

Processed on this device. Nothing is uploaded.

Applying through a visa centre (VFS, TLScontact, BLS)? The photo is often taken there; bring a printed one in case the mission asks for it.

Accepted and rejected

Correct
Grey background
Head too small
Shadow

How to take it at home

  1. 01Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, facing a window.
  2. 02Hold the phone at eye level, or ask someone to take it.
  3. 03Upload it above. We crop it to the spec and whiten the background.
  4. 04Download the online file, or the print sheet for a photo shop or typing centre.

The rules

  • Recent biometric colour photo, 35 × 45 mm, taken in the last 6 months (some German missions ask for 3 months).
  • Face 70–80% of the photo: 32–36 mm from the chin to the top of the head (not the top of the hair).
  • White, off-white or light plain background.
  • Full face, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open.
  • Glasses only if the frames do not cover the eyes and there is no tint or glare; safest without glasses.
  • No head covering except for religious reasons, with the face visible from chin to forehead.
  • Not digitally altered; no other people or objects.

Good to know

  • If you apply through a visa centre (VFS, TLScontact, BLS), the photo is often taken there; bring a printed one in case the mission asks for it.
  • EU law (Visa Code, Article 13) refers to the ICAO standard; sizes and colours are published by each country's missions.
  • No Schengen state publishes a digital upload size; the file VisaSize makes is the print at 300 dpi.
  • The 70–80% (32–36 mm) face height is measured from the chin to the top of the head, ignoring the hair. This is how Germany's and France's official photo rules define it; Schengen visa pages give the same numbers without saying where to measure. With voluminous hair, VisaSize keeps as much hair in the photo as fits without making the face smaller.

Sources

German Missions in India: Schengen visa checklistMin. 1 biometric passport picture (35x45mm white background, 70%-80% face coverage), not older than six months

German Embassy London: visa FAQThe face must take up 70 to 80% of the photo. This corresponds to a height of 32 to 36mm.

NetherlandsWorldwide: Schengen visa checklist3.5cm by 4.5cm / white or light-coloured background

France-Visas: photograph quality (ICAO)

Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code), Article 13

France, service-public.gouv.fr: ID photo rules (F10619)Taille du visage : entre 3,2 et 3,6 cm (soit 70 à 80% de la photo), du bas du menton au sommet du crâne (hors cheveux)

Checked: 13 October 2026

VisaSize is not affiliated with Schengen states or any government. Made to the published specification of Schengen states. The authority makes the final decision.