Schengen Visa Photo Requirements 2026
The Schengen visa uses the ICAO biometric standard: 35×45mm, light grey background, face filling 70–80% of the frame. This single standard applies to all 29 member states. One compliant photo works for Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland and every other Schengen country.
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Official Schengen visa photo specification
- Size
- 35 × 45 mm
- Head height
- 32–36 mm chin to crown
- Head fill
- 70–80% of the photo frame
- Background
- Plain light grey (universally safe; white rejected by some states)
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Glasses
- Not permitted (ICAO standard)
- Digital (approx. @300 DPI)
- ~413 × 531 px
- Standard
- ICAO Doc 9303 (EU Visa Code Art. 13(4))
- Recency
- Within the last 6 months
- Min DPI (print)
- 300 DPI
Source: EUR-Lex EU Visa Code — verified June 2026.
Why light grey — not white — background
The Schengen area adopts the ICAO biometric standard, which specifies a plain, light background. Most consulates recommend or require light grey. The key exception is Switzerland, which explicitly requires a grey background and rejects pure white. France technically accepts white but recommends grey. Since one photo should work across all 29 member states, using light grey is the universally safe approach. This maker applies light grey by default.
How to take a Schengen visa photo at home
Find a plain light-coloured wall (or use a white or grey sheet) in good, even light. Natural daylight from a window works well — avoid harsh direct flash that creates a shadow behind your head. Stand a few feet from the wall, take the photo at eye level with a neutral expression, and remove glasses. Use the maker to apply the correct light grey background, crop to 35×45mm, and automatically size your head to the required 32–36mm chin-to-crown range.
Schengen photo for Indian visa applicants
Indian nationals applying for a Schengen visa — whether for tourism, business, or study — need the standard 35×45mm light-grey-background ICAO photo. This is different from the Indian passport photo (35×45mm, plain white background, 80–85% face coverage). If you are simultaneously renewing your Indian passport and applying for a Schengen visa, you need two different photos. Use this maker for the Schengen photo and the India passport maker for the Indian renewal.
The 29 Schengen countries in 2026
As of January 2025, the Schengen area has 29 member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Bulgaria and Romania joined in January 2025. The same ICAO photo standard applies in every state.
Privacy — no upload, GDPR-safe
All processing runs in your browser. Your photo is never sent to any server, never stored, and never shared. This is important for visa photos, which contain biometric data. Under GDPR, processing personal biometric data on a server requires explicit consent and data-handling safeguards — this tool avoids the issue entirely by keeping all processing on your device.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
35×45mm, following the ICAO biometric standard, with the face (chin to crown) measuring 32–36mm and filling roughly 70–80% of the frame.
What background does a Schengen visa photo need?
A plain light grey background is the universally safe choice. Some states accept white (e.g. France), but Switzerland requires grey and rejects white. Light grey satisfies all 29 Schengen countries.
Does the same photo work for all Schengen countries?
Yes. The ICAO standard is shared across all 29 Schengen member states (including Bulgaria and Romania which joined in 2025). One compliant 35×45mm light-grey photo is accepted at every consulate.
Are glasses allowed in a Schengen visa photo?
No. The ICAO biometric standard requires glasses to be removed. Both eyes must be clearly visible, open, and looking directly at the camera.
How recent does a Schengen visa photo need to be?
Most Schengen consulates require the photo to have been taken within the last 6 months and to reflect your current appearance.
Can I take a Schengen visa photo at home?
Yes. Stand against a plain light-grey wall (or a white sheet) in even lighting, take a frontal photo with a neutral expression, and use this maker to apply the correct background, crop to 35×45mm, and size the head to the 32–36mm range.
Is a Schengen visa photo the same as a passport photo?
The 35×45mm ICAO biometric standard is used for both Schengen visa photos and most EU national passport photos, so the same photo often works for both. Confirm the specific consulate's requirements, as some EU countries have minor variations for their national passports.
Which countries are in the Schengen area in 2026?
29 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. Bulgaria and Romania joined in January 2025.
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