May 28, 2026 · Guide
Schengen Visa Photo Requirements 2026 – Full Guide for All 27 Member States
All 27 Schengen member states apply the same ICAO 35×45mm photo standard for short-stay visa applications. Here is what you need to know — from print requirements to embassy-specific nuances.
Short answer
Schengen type C visa photos: 35×45mm, white or off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, head 32–36mm, taken within 6 months. Two identical physical prints are typically required at the appointment. The format is the same regardless of which Schengen country you are visiting.
Core Photo Requirements for a Schengen Visa
The Schengen area has unified short-stay visa rules under the Visa Code (Regulation (EC) No 810/2009). The photo standard referenced throughout all Schengen visa application processes is ICAO Doc 9303 — the same standard used for biometric passports worldwide.
Specific requirements:
- Size: 35mm wide × 45mm tall
- Background: White or off-white (plain, no patterns or shadows)
- Head height: 32–36mm (head occupying approximately 70–80% of the frame)
- Expression: Neutral — mouth closed, both eyes open and looking at camera
- Glasses: Not permitted
- Head coverings: Only for religious or medical reasons; full face must remain visible
- Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
- Print quality: Colour photo, sharp focus, no shadows, glossy or satin paper
The photo must represent how you currently look and how you will appear at the border crossing. If your appearance changes significantly between the photo date and your travel date, you should use a more recent photo.
Physical Prints vs Digital Submission
For the vast majority of Schengen short-stay visa applications processed through embassies, consulates, or authorised visa application centres (VFS Global, TLScontact, BLS International), physical printed photos are required at the appointment. You typically need to bring two identical prints attached to or accompanying your application form.
Some Schengen countries operate pre-registration or online application portals where a digital photo upload is requested before the appointment. In these cases, the digital file should still meet the 35×45mm proportion, ICAO background, and expression requirements. A JPEG at minimum 600×800px at 300 DPI (ideally higher) is the typical digital submission spec.
Always check the specific instructions for the consulate or application centre handling your application, as digital pre-submission requirements can change.
Schengen Visa Photos vs National ID Photos: Key Differences
An important point that trips up many applicants: the photo requirements for a Schengen visa are not always identical to those for the national ID card of the destination country. The Schengen visa always uses the ICAO 35×45mm standard with white or off-white background.
Notable country-specific national ID differences that do not apply to Schengen visa photos:
- France: The carte nationale d'identité uses a light grey background. French passports use white. Schengen visa photos for France use white or off-white.
- Greece: The Greek national ID (Δελτίο Ταυτότητας) uses 40×60mm. Schengen visa photos for Greece remain 35×45mm.
- Spain: The DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad) traditionally uses a slightly different format. Schengen visa photos use 35×45mm ICAO.
When applying for a Schengen visa, use the ICAO 35×45mm white-background format — regardless of what the country uses for its own citizens' documents.
Applying From Outside the Schengen Area
Applicants based in non-Schengen countries often have a different native photo format for their own travel documents. For example:
- USA: American passports and US-issued documents use 2×2 inch (51×51mm) photos with a white background. For a Schengen visa application, a US-based applicant needs 35×45mm ICAO photos — a different size.
- India: Indian passports use 35×45mm ICAO, so the same format applies for Schengen visa applications.
- China: Chinese passport photos are 33×48mm. For a Schengen visa, the 35×45mm format is required.
- Canada: Canadian passports use 50×70mm. For a Schengen visa application, a Canadian applicant needs 35×45mm ICAO photos.
The simplest approach is to create your Schengen visa photo using an online tool that outputs the correct 35×45mm format, regardless of your home country's standard format.
Selected Schengen Countries – Application Contact Overview
| Country | Typical Application Route | Photo Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Federal Foreign Office / VFS Global | White background, 2 photos |
| France | Campus France / VFS Global | White/off-white, 2 photos |
| Italy | Italian Consulate / VFS Global | White, 2 photos |
| Spain | Spanish Consulate / BLS International | White, 2 photos |
| Netherlands | Dutch Consulate / VFS Global | White/off-white, 2 photos |
| Switzerland | Swiss Consulate / TLScontact | White, 2 photos |
| Austria | Austrian Consulate / VFS Global | White/light grey, 2 photos |
| Sweden | Swedish Embassy / VFS Global | White, 2 photos |
| Poland | Polish Consulate / VFS Global | White, 2 photos |
| Greece | Greek Consulate | White, 2 photos. Note: Greek national ID uses 40×60mm — visa still uses 35×45mm |
Always verify current requirements with the official issuing authority before submitting. Application centre networks change; confirm the current provider for your location.
Common Rejection Reasons for Schengen Visa Photos
- Photo older than 6 months at time of submission
- Glasses present (banned since widespread ICAO enforcement)
- Background not plain white or off-white (coloured wall, shadows visible)
- Head too small or too large in the frame (outside 32–36mm range)
- Shadow on face or background from direct flash or angle lighting
- Expression not neutral (visible smile, frown, or raised eyebrows)
- Eyes not fully open or not looking directly at the camera
- Photo not in colour (black-and-white photos are not accepted)
- Wrong dimensions — submitting a 51×51mm (US format) photo for a Schengen application
- Head covering (non-religious or non-medical)
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Schengen visa photo requirements the same as national ID photo requirements?
Not always. Schengen short-stay (type C) visa photos follow the ICAO 35×45mm standard with a white or off-white background. National ID cards in some Schengen countries use different rules — France uses a light grey background for its carte nationale d'identité, and Greece uses a 40×60mm format for its national ID. For any Schengen visa application, use white or off-white regardless of the destination country's national ID rules.
How many photos do I need for a Schengen visa application?
Most Schengen visa application centres and embassies require two identical photos submitted with the physical application form. Some consulates ask for only one. Always check the specific instructions of the embassy or visa application centre handling your application.
Can I submit a digital photo for a Schengen visa?
For most applications through an embassy or visa application centre, physical printed photos are required at the appointment. Some newer e-visa portals for specific Schengen countries accept digital uploads. Always check the current instructions for the specific consulate or application centre you are using.
Which countries are in the Schengen Area?
As of 2026, the Schengen Area includes 27 countries: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are Schengen members but not EU members.
I am applying from outside Europe — do I need a different photo format?
No. Regardless of where you apply, the photo submitted for a Schengen visa must be 35×45mm ICAO format with white or off-white background. A US citizen applying from the United States uses 2×2 inch (51×51mm) photos for American documents but needs 35×45mm specifically for a Schengen visa application.
Always verify current requirements with the official issuing authority and the specific consulate or visa application centre handling your application before submitting.
Create Your Schengen Visa Photo Online
ICAO-compliant 35×45mm biometric photo with white background — ready for Schengen visa applications. Free preview. From EUR 4.99 / CHF 4.99, no subscription.
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