Schengen Visa Photograph Requirements & Specifications

When applying for a visa to Europe, photographs are one of the most important needs. No matter what sort of visa you apply for, you must always submit two pictures together with the other documentation.

Schengen Visa Photo Requirements

The photograph specifications for any short-term Schengen visa application are:

1. Two identical photos. Not older than six months.
2. Photo size: 35x45mm.
3. In colour. No black and white
4. The head should take 70-80% of the photo.
5. Light-coloured background. Light grey is suggested. No patterns.
6. The applicant should be looking straight at the camera.
7. Neutral facial expression. No smile and mouth closed
8. Avoid uniforms or colours matching the background.

Schengen countries have gone one step further and detailed all of the photos criteria for a Europe visa.

MyBiometricPhotos.com can provide you with a Schengen visa-compliant photo that precisely fits all of the relevant standards.

All of the Schengen visa photograph standards and specifications are detailed in this page in a simple and accessible manner.

Photo Illustration and their Explanation

Format and Photo Size

Minimum allowable size

Maximum allowable size

Illustration:

Explanation:

The Schengen visa photograph size is fixed and cannot be changed. Both photographs should be 35mm wide and 45mm tall. The approved format includes clearly portraying the applicant's facial characteristics from the tip of the chin to the top of the head, counting both the left and right sides of the face, while the face is positioned in the center of the shot. The applicant's face must cover about 70-80% of the photo, with an appropriate face height of 32-36 mm, and the applicant's head, including hairdo, must be shown entirely.

All images submitted in sizes other than the specified Europe visa photo size may result in a Schengen visa application being rejected.

Focus and Contrast

Illustration:

Explanation:

The face of the applicant should be visible and clearly focused in the photo, with a strong contrast. Avoid taking photos that are too blurry, excessively bright, or have poor contrast.

Brightness

Illustration:

Explanation:

The accepted brightness in a photograph is when it is evenly distributed across the face. It is critical to prevent any reflections, shadows, and red eyes.

Photo Background

Illustration:

Explanation:

Avoid using a colorful, patterned, or shadowy photo backdrop; instead, use a one-color, ideally neutral grey, background that is bright and provides the necessary contrast for the face and hair.

Quality of the Photo

Illustration:

Explanation:

Keep in mind that the photo must be printed on high-quality paper with a printing resolution of at least 600 dpi. The applicant's skin tone must look natural, and the overall photo must be neutral, with no wrinkles or layers.

Facial Expression and Head Position

Illustration:

Explanation:

Avoid turning or angling your head, as well as opening your lips. The only acceptable way to posture is to maintain a neutral expression with your eyes fixed firmly on the camera and your lips closed.

Eyes and Line of Sight

Illustration:

Explanation:

When posing for a photo, forgetting to concentrate your eyes on the camera, shutting them, or placing your hair over your eyes is unacceptable, since the approved style of posing is wholly gazing right into the camera, with fully open eyes that are not hidden by hair.

Glasses

Illustration:

Explanation:

When posing, avoid wearing sunglasses, dark optical glasses, or optical glasses with frames that obscure your eyes, as well as flash reflection. When wearing optical spectacles, the applicant's eyes must be clearly visible and not obscured by the glasses frame.

Headwear

Illustration:

Explanation:

Posing with a hat, headgear that hides your face, or having your face shaded by headwear is not permitted. The sole exemption is religious headgear, and even then, the face must be seen from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead.

Are all Schengen nations subject to the same picture requirements?

Yes, all Schengen Area members have the same visa photograph requirements and specifications: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.