Schengen Area Visa Photo Size & Free Maker — 35×45 mm

Photo Dimensions & Positioning

Photo size35 × 45 mm

Face height (chin to crown)32 – 36 mm

Face height ratio70 – 80% of photo

BackgroundPlain white or light

Rules & Guidelines

ExpressionNeutral expression. Face camera directly. Mouth closed.

GlassesAvoid wearing glasses. If worn, eyes must be clearly visible with no reflections or tinted lenses.

Head coveringPermitted only for religious reasons. Must not obscure any facial features.

LightingEven lighting. No shadows on face or background.

Print qualityHigh-quality colour print on photo paper.

RecencyRecent photo (within last 6 months).

Children & Infants

ICAO standard applies. Infants may have slightly different expression tolerance.

Additional Requirements

ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) compliant.
Face 70-80% of photo height.
Head centred in frame.
Sharp focus and clear contrast.
No red eye.
Natural skin tone.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Non-ICAO compliant photo — Schengen requires ICAO-standard photos. Check face height is 70-80% of photo.

❌ Shadows or uneven lighting — Biometric scanners require even lighting for accurate face matching.

❌ Photo not recent — Must be taken within the last 6 months.

❌ Background not plain — Must be plain white or light coloured with no patterns or objects.

Official Source

Government website https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/document/download/5bb16566... ↗

Make your Schengen Area visa photo now

Use the free PassportSnap maker to crop, resize, and export your photo at the exact 35×45 mm Schengen Area visa photo spec — directly in your browser. Get a single compliant JPEG, or a 4×6 print sheet with two photos for home or photo-lab printing.

Open the Schengen Area Visa Photo Maker →

Free · no upload · no AI retouching · works in your browser

Schengen Area Visa Photo — FAQ

What size is a Schengen Area visa photo?

35×45 mm. Face height: 32–36 mm. Background: Plain white or light.

Can I take a Schengen Area visa photo at home?

Yes. Use a plain plain white or light backdrop, even lighting, and a neutral expression, then use the PassportSnap free maker to crop and resize to 35×45 mm exactly.

What file format does Schengen Area require?

JPEG, max no specific limit. PassportSnap exports a JPEG sized to your country’s exact pixel and file-size limits.

Are glasses allowed in Schengen Area visa photos?

Avoid wearing glasses. If worn, eyes must be clearly visible with no reflections or tinted lenses.

Are head coverings allowed?

Permitted only for religious reasons. Must not obscure any facial features.

Schengen Area Visa Photo Requirements

Make your Schengen Area visa photo now

Schengen Area Visa Photo — FAQ

Create your Schengen Area visa photo now