Official requirements
These are the rules as the issuing office publishes them. The tool above applies them for you.
| Printed size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Background | Plain, light-coloured |
| Head, chin to top | 70–80% of the photo height (31–36 mm) |
| Other rules |
|
| Source | European Commission, applying for a Schengen visa; ICAO photo guidelines (EU sheet). Checked 25 September 2026. |
How to use Schengen Visa Photo
- Take a photo facing the camera, with even light and a plain, light-coloured wall behind you.
- Add it here and line up the top of your head and your chin with the dashed lines.
- Check the background and head-height results on the right.
- Download a print sheet and print it at 100% on good photo paper.
Why use Schengen Visa Photo
Biometric framing
Your face is kept at 70–80% of the photo height, the ICAO rule the EU links to.
35 × 45 mm prints
The size consulates across the Schengen area ask for, six to a 4 × 6 in print.
Glasses warning
A reminder of the rules: eyes clearly visible, no tinted lenses and no flash reflections.
Crop-only
Visa photos must not be edited, so the tool only crops and resizes your original.
About this tool
The EU asks for a Schengen visa photo "in compliance with ICAO standards" and links a photo guideline: a close-up of your head and the top of your shoulders, with your face taking up 70–80% of the photo, against a plain light-coloured background, taken no more than 6 months ago. Consulates specify the print size as 35 × 45 mm, and some are stricter about age: German missions in the UK, for example, ask for a photo no older than 3 months.
Face the camera squarely with a neutral expression, your mouth closed and your eyes open, with no hair across your eyes. Glasses are allowed only if your eyes are clearly visible, with no tinted lenses and no flash reflections. Check your consulate's own page before you print, because each Schengen country's missions can add details.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
35 × 45 mm at most consulates, with your face taking up 70–80% of the photo.
What background do I need?
A plain, light-coloured background. Some consulates prefer white, so check your consulate's page.
Can I wear glasses?
Only if your eyes are clearly visible, the lenses are not tinted and there is no reflection from a flash.
How old can the photo be?
No more than 6 months under the EU guidance, and some missions, such as Germany's in the UK, ask for 3 months.
Can I use the same photo for any Schengen country?
Yes. All Schengen states use the same 35 × 45 mm biometric photo rules, so one photo suits a French, German, Italian or Spanish visa application. Check the embassy's page for how many copies to bring.
Is this Schengen visa photo tool free online?
Yes. It is a free online Schengen visa photo tool and editor, with no app and no upload: it crops and resizes your photo to the official size and specifications. It is not an official checker, so compare the result with the rules and requirements on the official website before you submit it.