Everything You Need to Know about Schengen Visa Photo Requirements in 2025

Schengen visa is one of the most sought-after visas in the world. The specialty of Schengen visa is that with one visa you can visit 29 Schengen area countries in Europe. Just like any other international visa, the Schengen visa application also requires you to submit an application form along with some important documents and sometimes also attend a visa interview.

Often more focus is laid on ensuring that your passport is valid and your financial documents are in order. But what people do not realize is that it is extremely important to submit the right type of photos as well. The Schengen visa photo size should be 35mm x 45mm. But these are not the only requirements. You need to consider several other factors while submitting the Schengen visa photographs. Here is a comprehensive guide about everything you need to know about requirements for Schengen visa photo.

Schengen Photo Requirements

The Schengen visa photo requirements are as per the EU Visa Code and International Civil Aviation Organization. The specifications are regarding size, color, background, quality, and facial expressions as well. Let us check them out here.

Photo Size: As mentioned above, the size of the Schengen visa photo must be 35mm x 45 mm or 1.38 x 1.77 inches. The measurements should be exact. One can use a photo alteration app to get the photo resized into these exact measurements.

Photo Dimensions: 70-80% of the photograph should be covered by your face. In other words, the height of your face, i.e., from the head to the chin should be somewhere between 32-36 mm. The photo should have a center profile. You must look straight ahead. Both sides of the face should be visible.

No. of Photos: The Schengen visa application requires you to submit two photographs along with the visa form. Both the photos should be identical. You cannot submit two different photos of yourself for the visa process.

Recency: This photographs for the visa should be recent, i.e., taken within 6 months of the time of submitting the visa application. This is very important. You cannot submit old photographs even if your appearance has not changed much.

Color: One of the Schengen visa photo specifications is that the photos should be in color. Black and white photos are not accepted and submitting them can lead to rejection of your visa application.

Background: The background of the Schengen visa photo should either be white or grey. Avoid dark colors in the background. Moreover, there should not be any patterns or design in the background. It must be plain.

Facial Expressions: It is crucial that you maintain a neutral expression while taking a photo for your Schengen visa application. Photos where you are frowning, smiling, or laughing will not be accepted. Your eyes should be wide open, and your mouth should be closed. You should not show your teeth. Moreover, both your ears should be clearly visible in the photo.

Head Gear: It is best to avoid any kind of head gear for Schengen visit visa photo. However, head gear is acceptable in case of religious or medical reasons. In this case too, the facial features should be clearly seen. If your facial features remain obscured or hidden, your photos may get rejected.

Eyeglasses: It is best not to wear eyeglasses for Schengen visa photograph. However, if you still want to wear one (in case of a medical necessity), there are some things you need to consider. Make sure that the lens of the glasses does not cover your eyes. There should be no glare on the lens. Moreover, you must avoid tinted glasses and even sunglasses at all costs. Eyeglasses that show your eyes clearly are accepted.

Photo Quality: The quality of the photo constitutes its clarity and brightness. The lighting in the photo should be perfect. It should not be too dark or too light. There should not be any shadow or flash on the face or in the background. The contrast in the photo should not be low. Moreover, the image should not be blurred. Apart from all this, the photo should be printed on high-quality paper. The printing resolution should be 600 dpi. Ensure that there are no tears or creases on the photo.

Dress Code and Accessories: While there is no specific dress code for Schengen visa photographs, there are certain factors that you should take care of. Do not wear a uniform for the photo. Also, the color of your outfit should not be the same as the color of the background. It is best to opt for outfits in dark colors. As for accessories, keep them minimal. Do not wear jewelry or accessories that are distracting or cover your facial features. Makeup should also be minimal.

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Photo Specifications for Children and Infants

While the rules on photo quality, lighting, and background are the same, there is some leniency when it comes to Schengen visa photo specifications for children and infants.

• The child’s eyes should be preferably open. However, when it comes to babies, the photo will be accepted even if the eyes are closed.
• The background should be plain, white. In the case of infants, you can lay the child on a plain, white cloth and take the picture from above.
• Ensure that no one is holding the child from behind. Pictures that show a person’s arms, hands, or other supporting objects will not be accepted.
• There should be no toys, bottles, pacifiers, or any other objects in the photo.
• Accessories like caps, bows, headbands, etc., should also not be used in the photograph.
• A perfect neutral expression is not mandatory for children’s photos. A relaxed look, with the child facing the camera directly is enough. The face of the child should be clearly visible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Do not submit mobile phone snapshots, selfies, or social media photos for your visa application.
• Do not submit old photos and low-quality photos. It is also a mistake to submit photos that are torn or have creases.
• Submitting a photo where you are smiling, laughing, grinning, showing teeth or frowning is also not accepted.
• Digitally altered photographs are also not accepted. Do not submit photos where your eye color, facial features, and skin tone have been altered.
• Photos with heavy makeup, headgear, decorative accessories, etc., may also get rejected.
• It is best not to submit photos where you are wearing tinted glasses, oversized frames, or anything that covers your eyes.
• It is also a mistake to submit black and white photos.
• Submitting photographs that do not adhere to the Schengen visa photo size requirements is also a big mistake.

Conclusion

Once you are sure that your photos match the visa photo requirements for traveling to the Schengen zone, it is time to submit them along with the other documents. You can also get the help of a reputable visa agent to do the work for you. This way the chances of making a mistake with the photographs or other documents would be less. Moreover, this would also be your answer to the question of how to get Schengen visa appointment faster.

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