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EU/Schengen Visa Photo Requirements 2026

Complete guide to eu/schengen visa photo specifications, size, background, and compliance rules. Updated 2026-01-10.

EU/Schengen visa photos must be 35x45mm with a white or light-coloured background, and the face must occupy 70-80% of the vertical frame. All photos must comply with the ICAO 9303 machine-readable travel document standard, which is uniformly enforced across all 27 Schengen area member states. Digital submissions should be 600x750 pixels at 300 DPI in JPEG format, with file sizes between 50 KB and 5 MB. These requirements are established by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs and apply to tourist, business, and transit Schengen visas alike. SnapID produces fully ICAO-compliant photos for any Schengen application, backed by our 100% acceptance guarantee.

Photo Specifications

Photo Size	35mm x 45mm
Pixel Dimensions	600 x 750 pixels
Resolution	300 DPI
Background Colour	White or light-coloured
Head Size	70-80% of frame height
File Format	JPEG
File Size	50 KB - 5 MB
Document Type	Visa

Photo Requirements

Facial Expression

Neutral expression, looking directly at the camera

Glasses

Allowed if eyes are clearly visible with no glare

Head Covering

Not allowed unless for documented religious reasons

Additional Requirements

Must comply with ICAO 9303 standard
Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
Face must occupy 70-80% of the vertical frame
No shadows on the face or background
Photo must be sharp and in focus
Same requirements apply to all 27 Schengen area countries

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Frequently Asked Questions

What size should my EU/Schengen Visa photo be?▾

Your EU/Schengen Visa photo must be 35mm wide by 45mm tall. For digital submissions, the recommended resolution is 600x750 pixels at 300 DPI.

What background colour is required for a EU/Schengen Visa photo?▾

The required background colour for EU/Schengen Visa photos is white or light-coloured. The background must be plain and uniform with no patterns, textures, or shadows.

Can I wear glasses in my EU/Schengen Visa photo?▾

Allowed if eyes are clearly visible with no glare. If you normally wear prescription glasses, it is generally safest to remove them for the photo to avoid any issues with glare or reflections that could cause rejection.

Can I smile in my EU/Schengen Visa photo?▾

No. The requirement is: neutral expression, looking directly at the camera. A neutral, relaxed expression with your mouth closed is required for government compliance.

How recent does my EU/Schengen Visa photo need to be?▾

Most countries, including European Union, require that your photo be taken within the last 6 months and accurately reflect your current appearance. If your appearance has changed significantly, you should take a new photo.

Last updated

2026-01-10

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