Schengen Visa Photo Guidelines: Essential Criteria Explained

How to Take Your European (Schengen) Visa Photo

When you apply for a Schengen visa you must include two identical passport-style photographs with your application, submitted alongside other documents and your passport

Schengen visa photos must be biometric (passport or e-passport) photographs that meet specific size and quality criteria to clearly show your face and identifying details

Number, age and basic format: provide 2 identical photos, taken within the last six months, printed in color (not black and white), and measuring 35 mm across by 45 mm in height

Head size and framing: your head should occupy 70–80% of the photo so your face is clearly visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead

Resolution and printing: photos must have a minimum printing resolution of 400 dpi and be printed on high-quality paper; this is the only accepted physical form for submission

Background: use a lightly colored, non-patterned background — light gray is suggested — and avoid clothing that matches the background so you stand out clearly

Expression and pose: look straight at the camera with a neutral facial expression, mouth closed, and do not smile to meet the biometric requirements

Lighting and image quality: avoid reflections, shadows and red-eye; ensure brightness is evenly spread with no shadows on your face and no reflections from eyeglasses

Glasses rules: glasses are allowed only if the eyes are fully visible, the lenses are fully transparent, there is no distortion from reflections and no shadow is cast by the frames or lenses

Headwear and religious coverings: hats and headwear that cover or shadow the face are prohibited, but religious headwear is permitted if the face (chin to forehead) is fully visible and the covering is plain, single-colored and contrasts with the background

Appearance guidelines: keep your normal haircut and avoid sunglasses or dark optical glasses; do not wear items that obscure your face or cause shadows across it

Photo quality and handling: ensure the picture reflects your natural skin tone, is not creased, and is printed without defects — photo booths and professional photographers typically use the required paper and printing standards

When to bring extras: if you may need to submit additional documents or are applying for a visa type other than a short-stay (up to 90 days), keep spare photos printed to the same Schengen passport standard

Uniformity across Schengen: the standard passport photograph size and requirements are the same for all Schengen Area countries, so one compliant photo set works for any member state

If a photo is rejected: you must submit a new photo that meets the requirements; failing to correct the problem early may force you to reapply for the visa

If your appearance changed: biometric photos are used because you should still be identifiable even after minor changes (e.g., hair growth or new glasses), but avoid making drastic changes that could make you unrecognizable

Actionable step-by-step checklist before submission: 1) Take two identical color photos 35 x 45 mm, taken within 6 months; 2) Ensure head occupies 70–80% of the frame and you face the camera directly; 3) Use light gray/non-patterned background; 4) Avoid smile, keep mouth closed; 5) Remove non-religious headwear and sunglasses; 6) If wearing glasses, ensure lenses and frames do not obscure or reflect; 7) Print on high-quality paper at ≥400 dpi and avoid creases

Practical tips for getting it right first time: use a professional photographer or a certified photo booth, check the head proportion on the print, confirm background color and lack of pattern, inspect for shadows/reflections, and keep spare copies to avoid delays if additional photos are requested

Common mistakes to avoid: using a white or patterned background, smiling, wearing tinted or dark glasses, letting shadows fall on the face, low-resolution printing, matching clothing to the background, and submitting creased or poorly printed photos

Final compliance reminder: follow every specification — size, color, head proportion, background, expression, lighting, printing resolution and paper quality — to reduce the risk of rejection and speed up your Schengen visa application