Last reviewed: 12 July 2026
If you're applying for a Schengen visa or a European student/work visa, the photo is one of the easiest things to get wrong — and one of the most common reasons applications get held up. The good news: the size is standardised across the Schengen area. The catch: the background colour rule differs by country, and that's where people slip.
Quick answer
- Size is standard across Schengen: 35 × 45 mm, face 70–80% of the frame, neutral expression, last 6 months.
- The background colour varies by country — Germany wants grey and rejects white; Italy wants white.
- Do not assume one background works everywhere. Follow the current embassy, consulate or application-centre instruction for your destination.
Concrete output example
The Schengen preset produces a 35×45 mm JPG. At the registry's 300 DPI reference, that corresponds to approximately 413×531 px; an input portrait of any larger dimensions is cropped to that aspect ratio rather than stretched. The file-size limit is deliberately not stated as a single number because countrySpecs.ts records it as varying by consulate or VFS portal. Confirm the current upload limit before compressing.
The standard Schengen photo size
- Dimensions: 35 × 45 mm (the ICAO biometric standard).
- Face: 70–80% of the frame, roughly 32–36 mm chin to crown.
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open and visible.
- Recency: taken within the last 6 months.
- Glasses: best avoided; no glare, no tint, frames clear of the eyes.
The part that trips people up: background colour
All Schengen states follow ICAO, but they interpret the background differently. Using the wrong shade is a top rejection cause:
| Country | Background | Make · source |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | Neutral / light grey (not pure white) | Make → · source |
| France | Plain light-coloured | Make → · source |
| Italy | White | Make → · source |
| Netherlands | Light grey, light blue or white | Make → · source |
If you're unsure, do not rely on a universal background colour. Check the current embassy, consulate or application-centre instruction for your destination. For EU Schengen visa requirements, see the European Commission Schengen visa guidance.
Troubleshooting rejected Schengen photos
| Failure | Fix |
|---|---|
| Portal rejects the file before preview | Check the portal's current JPG and KB rules; there is no EU-wide upload cap. |
| Head is cropped or too small | Return to the 35×45 mm preset and keep chin-to-crown height within the registry's 32–36 mm band. |
| White background rejected | Use the destination country's published colour; Germany requires neutral/light grey while Italy specifies white. |
| Face looks stretched | Crop to the 35:45 aspect ratio; do not force independent width and height scaling. |
How to make one free, without uploading your photo
Pick your country on the visa photo maker (or use a country link above), drop in a clear front-facing photo, and it crops to 35×45 mm with the correct background applied automatically and a compliance check before you download. Everything runs in your browser — your photo is never uploaded.
Need to hit a specific upload size too? Most consulate/VFS portals cap the file at a few hundred KB — use the compress-to-KB tool on the finished photo. Always confirm the exact requirement on your consulate or VFS portal before submitting. For photo dimensions across all passport and visa types, see passport photo size by country.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
35 × 45 mm (the ICAO biometric standard), with the face filling 70–80% of the frame (about 32–36 mm chin to crown), a neutral expression, and taken within the last 6 months.
What background colour does a Schengen visa photo need?
It varies by country: Germany requires neutral/light grey, Italy specifies white, France wants a plain light colour, and the Netherlands accepts grey, light blue or white. Light grey is the safe universal choice.
Why does Germany reject white backgrounds?
German missions require a single, neutral light-grey background so the face separates cleanly for biometric checks; a pure-white photo is a common rejection. Use grey for any German (and most Schengen) application.
Is the Schengen photo the same for every country?
The size (35 × 45 mm) and face proportions are the same across the Schengen area, but the background-colour rule differs by country — that's the part most applicants get wrong.