Schengen Visa Photo Requirements 2026 – Complete Guide

The Schengen Area photo requirement is rooted in ICAO Doc 9303 — the international civil aviation standard that governs biometric travel documents worldwide. All 27 Schengen member states have adopted this framework for visa applications, which means the specifications below apply whether you are applying to visit France, Germany, Sweden, or any other Schengen country.

Individual consulates and visa application centres may state slightly different wording on their websites — “off-white” vs. “white”, for example — but a photo that meets the ICAO standard is accepted across the entire area. When in doubt, check the specific website of the consulate or visa application centre you are submitting to, as minor emphasis differences (number of photos required, exactly how fresh the photo must be) can vary.

• Dimensions: Exactly 35mm wide × 45mm tall.
• Head height and position: The head (chin to crown) must measure 32–36mm within the 45mm frame. The face must be centred horizontally. Eyes should appear at approximately mid-height in the photo. The head must be upright — no tilt, rotation, or turning to the side.
• Background: Plain white or off-white. Uniform with no patterns, textures, or objects. No shadows behind the head or on the shoulders.
• Expression: Neutral. Mouth closed. Both eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera. Squinting is not acceptable.
• Lighting: Even, natural-looking lighting across the face. No strong shadows on one side. No red-eye effect.
• Glasses: Not permitted. Prescription frames, tinted glasses, and sunglasses are all excluded. Transparent (clear) contact lenses are permitted; coloured contact lenses are not.
• Colour: Full colour only. Black-and-white photos are not accepted.
• Recency: Taken within the last 6 months of the application date.
• Head coverings: Permitted only for documented religious or medical reasons. The full face from chin to forehead and ear to ear must be completely visible.
• Print quality: Printed on glossy or semi-glossy photo paper at 300 DPI minimum. Plain-paper inkjet prints are generally not accepted.

Most Schengen visa applications are processed through authorised Visa Application Centres (VACs) rather than directly at embassies. The major VAC operators are:

• VFS Global — operates VACs for numerous Schengen countries worldwide.
• BLS International — handles applications for several Schengen member states in specific regions.
• TLScontact — primarily used for French Schengen visa applications.

All three accept printed ICAO-compliant 35×45mm photos. Some VAC locations also offer on-site biometric photo capture as part of the enrolment process — but this does not replace the requirement to bring a printed photo for the application form. Always confirm the exact requirements with your specific VAC or consulate when booking your appointment.

Whether a digital photo can be submitted alongside or instead of a printed photo varies by consulate and VAC. Some Schengen consulates now accept digital photo uploads via their online visa application portals, while others require a physical printed photo at the appointment.

If a digital photo is accepted, it must meet the same ICAO specifications as a printed photo — 35×45mm proportions, correct head height, white or off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within 6 months. For digital submissions, the minimum resolution is typically 600×600 pixels with the face centred and correctly framed.

Always check the specific consulate or VAC instructions for your application. Do not assume digital submission is available — arriving without a printed photo when one is required will result in your appointment being rescheduled.

The long-stay national visa (Type D) is issued by individual Schengen member states for stays exceeding 90 days — typically for employment, study, or family purposes. Although the Type D visa is a national document (not a Schengen-wide document like the Type C short-stay visa), it uses the same 35×45mm ICAO photo requirement.

Family reunification visas follow the same photo standard. Spouses, children, or other dependants applying to join a family member already residing in a Schengen country must provide a 35×45mm ICAO-compliant photo for each applicant, including children. For young children and infants, the same photo specifications apply — the face must be clearly visible, centred, and without other individuals visible in the frame.