Official Schengen Visa Photo Requirements
When submitting a short-stay or long-stay Schengen visa application through TLScontact, VFS Global, BLS International, or European consulates, your photograph must meet strict European Union biometric standards:
Key Schengen Specifications
- Dimensions: Exactly 35 mm wide by 45 mm high (or 630 × 810 pixels for digital appointment systems). Same outer dimensions as a standard UK passport photo.
- Head Proportion: Chin-to-crown height must occupy between 32 mm and 36 mm (70% to 80% of vertical photo height).
- Background: Plain light grey or light blue background. Pure white is acceptable for most consulates, but high contrast is required.
- Pose: Centred portrait, looking directly into the camera with neutral mouth and open eyes.
- Recency: Must have been taken within the last 6 months.
Schengen Compliance Checklist
| Required Checklist ✅ | Common Rejection Reasons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Exact 35×45 mm biometric framing | Selfies with wide-angle camera distortion |
| Neutral expression with mouth closed | Teeth showing or head tilted |
| Plain uniform light background | Gradients, flash hotspots, or wall shadows |
| Even facial lighting without shadows | Strong side-lighting or dark shadows under eyes |
| High-resolution 300+ DPI photographic quality | Low quality scans or compressed WhatsApp images |
Supported Schengen Countries
This tool formats compliant photos for all 29 Schengen Area member nations: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Liechtenstein.
Printing Your Schengen Visa Photos
Consulates and visa application centres (TLScontact, VFS Global, BLS) usually require physical printed photos attached to your visa application form.
Use our free passport photo print template generator to arrange up to 8 exact 35×45 mm photos onto a single 4×6″ (10×15 cm) sheet with calibrated 300 DPI cutting guides. You can print the sheet at Boots, Tesco, or your home printer for pence.
Related Visa & Passport Photo Guides
Need a photo for another country or UK document? Explore our dedicated guides:
- UK Passport Photo Size & Rules — Standard 35×45 mm HMPO specification
- US Visa & Passport Photo Tool — 2×2 inch square format for DS-160 and US passports
- UK Visa & ETA Photo Requirements — Rules for UKVI and ETA applications
- Indian Passport & OCI Photo Maker — 35×45 mm and 2×2″ specifications
- How to Take a Visa Photo at Home — Phone setup, lighting and sizes by country
- How to Take a Passport Photo on iPhone — Step-by-step mobile photography setup
- Passport Size Photo Studio — Interactive photo maker for 50+ countries
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about official Schengen Visa Photo Maker Online requirements and specifications.
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
A Schengen visa photo must measure 35 mm wide by 45 mm high (35×45 mm). For digital visa portals (such as TLScontact, VFS Global, or consulate booking portals), the recommended resolution is 630×810 pixels. Check our 35×45 mm photo size guide for pixel dimensions across resolutions.
What background colour is required for a Schengen visa photo?
Consulates require a plain, uniform light grey or light blue background with no patterns or shadows. Pure white is accepted by many consulates, but high contrast against your face and hair is required.
What should the head size be in a Schengen visa photo?
Your head (from the bottom of the chin to the crown of your head) must measure between 32 mm and 36 mm, covering 70% to 80% of the total photograph height.
Can I smile in a Schengen visa photo?
No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight into the camera lens.
Can I wear glasses in my Schengen visa photo?
Glasses are generally discouraged. If worn for medical reasons, the frames must not obscure your eyes, and there must be zero glare or flash reflections on the lenses. Tinted or sunglasses are strictly prohibited.
How recent must the Schengen visa photo be?
The photograph must have been taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance accurately.
Can I take a Schengen visa photo at home with my phone?
Yes. Stand 1 metre away facing natural daylight, snap a front-facing portrait, and our AI tool will automatically crop, align to 35×45 mm biometric standards, and replace the background. Read our guide on how to take a passport photo at home for lighting and camera tips.
How do I print Schengen visa photos on 4×6″ paper?
Upload your prepared image to our passport photo print template generator to get a 4×6″ sheet with 8 copies and corner crop marks for easy cutting.
Ready to create your Schengen Visa Photo Maker Online?
Prepare your photo using UK passport photo requirements and review it before submitting your application.
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