Schengen Visa Photo Size & Requirements 2024: What Are the Photo Requirements For a Schengen Visa?

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Updated March 2024

If you’re planning a trip to one of the Schengen countries, it’s important to ensure that your visa application is complete, including having an official photo that meets the requirements set by the European consulate. Failing to meet these requirements could result in your visa application being rejected and delaying your trip.

Keep reading with Wego to find out more about the Schengen visa photo requirements.

Schengen visa photo size & requirements for adults

The visa photograph requirements and specifications are the same for every member of the Schengen Area: 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.

The visa photo requirements in Schengen are stringent. If your photo does not meet the standards set by the authorities, your visa application will be rejected. These standards encompass specific dimensions, resolution, and appearance criteria that are detailed further below.

Photo size

As per the official rules, your printed photographs should be measured 35 x 45 MM  and not be a cut-down version of a larger picture.

Background and quality

Printed photos:

• printed to a professional standard
• clear and in focus
• in color on plain white photographic paper with no border
• without any creases or tears
• unmarked on both sides (unless a photo needs to be countersigned)
• unaltered by computer software
• be taken on a brightly coloured background. Light grey is suggested and no patterns.
• be in clear contrast to the background
• be a close-up of your full head and upper shoulders
• contain no other objects or people
• not have ‘red eye’
• the photo should not be taken older than six months.

Digital photos:

• clear and in focus
• in color
• unaltered by computer software
• at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
• at least 50KB and no more than 10MB
• contain no other objects or people
• be taken against a plain light-coloured background
• be in clear contrast to the background
• not have ‘red eye’
• the photo should not be taken older than six months

Attire and expression of the applicant

For both printed and digital photos, the applicant must:

• be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera
• have a plain expression and mouth closed
• have eyes open and visible
• not have hair in front of eyes
• not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
• not have anything covering the face
• not have any shadows on the face or behind them

Additionally, applicants must avoid wearing glasses unless they are required to do so. Allowed glasses do not include sunglasses or tinted glasses, and applicants must make sure their eyes are not covered by the frames or any glare, reflection or shadow.

Schengen visa photo requirements for babies, infants, and newborns

Children and babies must be on their own in the picture. Children under 6 do not have to look directly at the camera or have a plain expression like the requirements for adults.

Babies must not be holding toys or using dummies. In addition, children under one year of age do not have to have their eyes open. You can support their head with your hand, but your hand must not be visible in the photo.