A Schengen visa lets you travel to the 29 countries of the Schengen area, and all of them follow the same basic photo standard. The details vary a little between consulates, so this guide gives the common rules first and then the differences we found.
The common rules
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Size | 35 × 45 mm (width × height) |
| Face | 70% to 80% of the photo height, which is 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown |
| Background | Plain and light: white, off-white or light grey |
| Type | A colour photo printed on photo-quality paper |
| Age | Recent (see the differences below) |
Sources: the German Embassy in London's visa FAQ, the France-Visas FAQ and the NetherlandsWorldwide visa checklist.
What the photo must show
- Your full face from the front, with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
- No glasses frames over your eyes.
- No head covering, unless it is religious and casts no shadow on your face.
- A real photo. Scans and copies of photos are not accepted.
The differences between consulates
- How recent: Germany asks for photos no older than three months. The Netherlands accepts six months.
- Width: France accepts photos from 35 to 40 mm wide.
- Print quality: German missions ask for prints made at 600 dpi or more.
- Photo taken for you: the Netherlands visa service centres take the photo at your appointment, so you may not need one at all.
Because of these differences, always check the checklist from the consulate or visa centre where you apply. If it says something different from this guide, follow the checklist.
35 × 45 mm in pixels
A printed photo is measured in millimetres, but you make it as a digital file first. The pixels depend on the print resolution:
| Print resolution | Pixels for 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| 300 dpi | 413 × 531 |
| 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 |
SafeResize uses 600 dpi, so the photo meets the German rule and is sharp enough for every other consulate.
How to make and print it
- Open the Schengen visa photo page and add a photo taken against a plain, light wall.
- Drag and zoom until your face fills the oval: top of the head on the top line, chin on the bottom line.
- Download the 4 × 6 inch print sheet. It holds several copies at exactly 35 × 45 mm, with gaps for cutting.
- Print it at a photo shop, or at home on photo paper, as a normal 4 × 6 inch (10 × 15 cm) photo at actual size (100%). Do not choose "fit to page", which changes the size.
- Cut the photos out along the grey lines.
Measure one printed photo with a ruler before you use it. It should be exactly 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall.
Related pages
- German passport or ID card applied for abroad: the same 35 × 45 mm size, with a grey background preferred.
- French passport and ID card: needs a photo from an approved photographer or booth, and the background must not be white.
- Which background colour your photo needs.