Schengen Area visa photo size — 35×45 mm
Schengen Area visa photos must be exactly 35×45 mm (413×531 px at 300 DPI) on a light-grey background.
Checked August 21, 2026 against France-Visas — Official French government portal for Schengen visas.
Specification
| Size (mm) | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Size (inches) | 1.38 × 1.77 in |
| Size (pixels @ 300 DPI) | 413 × 531 px |
| Head height | 32–36 mm |
| Background | light-grey |
Requirements
- Photo must be 35mm × 45mm and no more than 6 months old.
- Face height, chin to top of head excluding hair, must be 32mm to 36mm — about 70–80% of the photo height.
- Background should be light-coloured; light grey is the most commonly accepted choice across consulates.
- Only colour photographs are accepted — black and white photos are rejected.
- Two identical, recent photos are required, and small details can vary by the specific consulate processing your application — check your destination country's consulate page before applying.
Print several at once
8 Schengen Area visa photos fit on a single 4×6 inch print. 30 fit on an A4 sheet.
Build a print-ready sheetFrequently asked questions
Is there one official Schengen visa photo standard?
The 35×45mm size and ICAO-style head positioning are consistent across the Schengen area, but each member state's consulate runs its own submission process, so always confirm against the specific consulate handling your application.
Can I use the same photo for any Schengen country?
In practice, yes — all Schengen states apply the same ICAO-based 35×45mm specification — but minor preferences like background shade can differ by consulate.
What background colour is safest for a Schengen visa photo?
Light grey is the most broadly accepted choice. Avoid pure white — some Schengen consulates, including France's, explicitly reject it.
Checked August 21, 2026 against France-Visas — Official French government portal for Schengen visas. We can’t guarantee any office will accept your photo — rules change, so always check the official source before you apply. See our disclaimer.