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Schengen Visa Photo Size: Guide for Indian Travellers

TeamAckoNov 28, 2025

Planning to visit a country in the Schengen Area? Make sure to check your photograph for the visa application! Along with your documents, one of the most important requirements is submitting two passport-style photographs. These need to meet the official Schengen standards. Even a small mistake, like the wrong background or incorrect size, can result in delays or rejection of your visa application.

To help you avoid such issues, this guide explains the exact Schengen visa photo size, requirements, background rules, attire guidelines, and tips for adults and children.

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Contents

What Is the Schengen Visa Photo Size?
Understanding Schengen Visa Photo Background and Quality
Lighting Requirements for Schengen Visa Photo
What Should You Wear for a Schengen Visa Photo?
Facial Expression Requirement for the Photo of Schengen Visa
Schengen Visa Photo Requirements for Children and Infants
How to Obtain a Professional Schengen Visa Photo?
Common Reasons for Schengen Visa Photo Rejection
Wrapping Up
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Schengen Visa Photo Size?

The photo size for a Schengen visa must be 3.5 x 4.5 cm (which is about 1.38 x 1.77 inches). The photo must be 35mm in width and 45mm in height. It is the same for all Schengen countries, and your visa application won’t be processed if the photo doesn’t meet this requirement.

Here are the exact specifications you need to meet:

Size and Proportion

Photo size must be 35 mm x 45 mm
Face should cover 70-80% of the photo
Head height should be 32 to 36 mm from the chin to the crown
The head must be centred and straight

Understanding Schengen Visa Photo Background and Quality

The Schengen authorities pay close attention to the background and quality of your visa photo. To avoid delays or retakes, make sure your picture meets the official background and image quality standards. Here is what you need to keep in mind.

Background Requirements

Background must be plain white or light grey
No shadows, patterns, or objects
Clothing should contrast with the background
Avoid white or very light outfits

Quality and Print Requirements

High-quality photo printed on matte or glossy photo paper
Minimum resolution should be 600 dpi
Photo must be in color
No digital editing, filters, or retouching
No scratches, creases, marks, or reflections
Photo must be recent and taken within the last 6 months
Photo online format must be JPEG

Lighting Requirements for Schengen Visa Photo

Proper lighting plays a crucial role in ensuring your Schengen visa photo is accepted. The goal is simple: to produce a clear and accurate image of your face without any visual distractions or distortions. To achieve this, make sure you follow these lighting guidelines:

Lighting should be even on your face and the background; the image should appear balanced
Avoid harsh shadows or bright spots; adjust light source accordingly
Retake the picture if there is a red-eye effect instead of editing
Natural or studio lighting are both acceptable
Eyes and facial features must be clearly visible

With proper lighting you can get a clean, high-quality photo. This way you can meet the Schengen visa standards and reduce the chance of rejection.

What Should You Wear for a Schengen Visa Photo?

Dressing for a Schengen visa photograph doesn't have to be a stressful task. Here's how you can approach it:

Go for casual or formal clothing that is neat and simple
Religious headwear, such as a turban or hijab, is allowed if it does not cover your face

What You Need to Avoid

Uniforms
Bright neon colors
Heavy jewellery
White clothes that blend with the background
Hats, caps, or fashion headgear

Sunglasses are not allowed in the picture, but you can wear glasses if they are for medical reasons. However, please ensure that the glasses you wear for the photograph have regular-thickness borders and are not just for special occasions.

These simple tips will help you nail your Schengen visa photo with ease while meeting the Schengen visa photo attire requirements.

Facial Expression Requirement for the Photo of Schengen Visa

When taking a photo for a Schengen Visa, it's important to ensure that your facial expression is clear and has a natural look. Make sure to follow these guidelines very closely:

Maintain a neutral expression
Keep your mouth closed
Eyes must be open and looking straight at the camera; not to be covered by eyeglass frames
No smiling or frowning; do not show any other expressions
Head should not be tilted
Hair should not cover your eyes or eyebrows

Correct facial expression is essential, and meeting these guidelines increases the chances of your Schengen visa photo being approved.

Schengen Visa Photo Requirements for Children and Infants

It’s not easy to photograph children, especially when they are required to follow the same rules as adults for a visa photo. But the Schengen visa authorities have a few relaxed guidelines in place for babies and younger kids.

For Infants

You may photograph the baby on a flat white sheet
Avoid pictures where the baby is crying or smiling; neutral expression is important
No hands, toys, or objects should appear in the frame
Slightly open mouth is acceptable for infants under 3 years
Make sure the baby’s head is not tilted
Eyes should be open, although some consulates may allow closed eyes for newborns

Tip: Hold the baby in your arms and later edit yourself from the picture.

For older children, the photo must follow the same basic rules as an adult’s. Their face should be centered with eyes open and looking directly at the camera. They must maintain a neutral expression, and the background should be plain white or light grey to ensure clarity and compliance with Schengen guidelines.

How to Obtain a Professional Schengen Visa Photo?

Based on the Schengen visa photo requirements, getting a professional visa photo that meets the standards is quite easy. While going to a professional photo studio or visa processing center is recommended, you can also DIY your way through it at home by using an online tool. To get a visual reference, you can look up for a Schengen visa photo sample.

Professional Photo Studios

Choose a studio that specialises in visa or passport photos.
They ensure correct lighting, background, and positioning.
Photos are printed on high-quality matte or glossy photo paper; if you're unsure, matte is recommended.

Online Photo Tools and Apps

Use trusted tools or apps that offer Schengen visa templates.
Upload your photo and adjust it to the correct size and specifications.
Avoid any digital alterations that change your facial features.

Common Reasons for Schengen Visa Photo Rejection

Incorrect photo size is not the only reason your Schengen Visa can get rejected. To avoid delays, make sure you do not make these mistakes:

Shadowed background: Any shadows reduce clarity.
Face not centered: Misalignment affects identification.
Smiling or showing teeth: Only neutral expressions are allowed.
Wearing white clothes: May blend with the background.
Digital editing or filters: Altered photos are not accepted.
Reflections on glasses: Glare can hide the eyes.
Hair covering the eyes: Facial features must be fully visible.
Poor image quality: Blurry or low-resolution photos fail standards.
Wrong face proportion: Face must cover 70 to 80 percent of the photo.

Wrapping Up

Getting the perfect picture is the key to your Schengen visa requirements, and getting it done yourself would save you some time and money. We hope the information provided has been helpful in clarifying any doubts you may have had regarding the photo size for Schengen visa. Adhering to these guidelines not only ensures your application is accepted but also avoids unnecessary delays.

Good luck with your application, and safe travels!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here, we have answered some of the commonly asked questions about the Europe visa photo requirements. Please go through it carefully to get answers to all the questions.

What is the photo size for a Schengen visa?

The photo size required for a Schengen visa is 35mm x 45mm. The photo should be of high quality, with a clear front view of the face, covering 70-80% of the photo. The background should be light-coloured.

Is the photo glossy or matte for a Schengen visa?

The photo should have a matte finish and should not be glossy or shiny.

For a Schengen visa, how many photos do you need?

You must provide two recent colour photos the size of a passport.

What should be the background for Schengen visa photos?

For Schengen visa photos, the background should be light-coloured, preferably plain white or off-white.

What kind of photo do I need for a Schengen visa?

According to the Schengen visa requirements, the photo must be a standard passport size of 35mm x 45mm.

What clothes to wear for a Schengen visa photo?

For a Schengen visa photo, you can dress up in casual or formal outfits but avoid uniforms or bright colours. You may wear religious head coverings, but your full face must remain clearly visible.