Schengen Visa Photo Requirements (2026): Size and Rules

There isn't one Schengen visa photo page that applies everywhere. EU law sets the framework: photos must meet international standards from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). But each member state's consulates publish their own checklists, and the details differ on things like how old a photo can be, whether glasses are allowed and whether you need to bring a print at all.

This guide explains the common standard, then shows real examples from official consulate pages so you can see where the rules differ.

The EU rules behind Schengen visa photos

Short-stay Schengen visas (type C, for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period) are governed by the EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009. Two parts matter for photos:

• Article 10 requires applicants to present a photograph that meets the relevant standards.
• Article 13 covers biometric identifiers. It requires a photograph, scanned or taken at the time of application, alongside 10 fingerprints. It says the technical requirements follow ICAO Document 9303.

The European Commission's page on applying for a Schengen visa summarizes this as a photo in compliance with ICAO standards. ICAO publishes the underlying standard as Doc 9303.

The move to live facial images

The EU has already legislated the next step. Regulation (EU) 2021/1134, which overhauls the Visa Information System (VIS), amends the Visa Code so that consulates collect a facial image taken live at the time of application. The change applies once the upgraded VIS starts operations. Under the same regulation, member states may still require applicants to present a photograph with every application.

In practice, many visa centers already capture your image at the appointment. The takeaway: follow the checklist from the specific consulate or visa center where you'll apply.

Standard Schengen visa photo specifications

These specs reflect what the consulate pages we read on September 19, 2026 ask for. No single page covers all of Schengen.

How the rules differ by country: official examples

Here's what several member states' official consular pages say. These are examples, not a complete list. Consulates of the same country in different cities can publish slightly different checklists.

Notice the differences. Italy's New York consulate, for one, asks for a white background and 3.5 x 4.5 cm; more on it in our Italy visa photo guide. Germany's London embassy wants a photo no older than three months while the Netherlands allows six. Some consulates specify white, others accept any light color, and France's identity-photo standard rules white out. And whether you need a print at all depends on how and where you apply.

Expression, pose and appearance

Across official checklists, the core appearance rules are consistent:

• Face the camera directly. Full face in view, no tilting or turning.
• Neutral expression, both eyes open. Skip the big smile. See Can you smile in a passport photo? for how this compares with other countries.
• Hair away from your eyes so your facial features are visible.
• No hats. The German Embassy in London says not to wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, with an exception for religious coverings.
• No garments hiding the oval of the face, as the Spanish consulate puts it.
• Current appearance. The photo must look like you do now.

Glasses in Schengen visa photos

This is where consulates differ most:

• The German Embassy in London permits glasses as long as the frames don't cover any part of the eyes.
• The Spanish Consulate in Los Angeles rules out dark or reflective glasses.

Glare, reflections and thick frames all make biometric matching harder. Taking your glasses off is the simplest way to avoid problems with any consulate.

Background and lighting

• Use a plain background in the colour your consulate names, without patterns, texture or objects. That is white or off-white for the German, Spanish and Italian pages above, and light grey or light blue for France.
• Keep lighting even so there are no shadows on your face or behind your head.
• Make sure skin tones look natural and the photo is neither overexposed nor too dark.

The German Embassy in London also notes that photos copied or scanned from driver's licenses or other official documents aren't accepted.

Photos for children

Children need their own visa photo, and the same size and background rules apply. There are a few practical differences:

• Only the child should appear in the photo.
• Very young children may not manage a perfectly neutral expression. Take several shots, and ask the consulate or visa center how they handle infant photos if you're unsure.
• Biometric rules are relaxed for children. The Spanish Consulate in Los Angeles, for example, says applicants under 12 are exempt from fingerprinting.

For infant photo tips such as using a white sheet, see how to take a passport photo at home.

Where to get a Schengen visa photo

Your options depend on where you apply:

1. At the visa center or consulate. Many capture your facial image as part of biometrics. Some have photo booths on site. The German Embassy in London mentions booths at the embassy and at its TLScontact center.
2. A photo studio or booth that produces ICAO-standard 35 x 45 mm photos.
3. A photo you take yourself, cropped to size and printed on photo paper, if your consulate accepts it. Make sure it's unedited apart from cropping. Our tool can do the crop and the basic checks on a phone photo.

Schengen visa photo checklist

• 35 x 45 mm, color, printed on photo-quality paper
• Face fills 70–80% of the height (32–36 mm)
• Taken within the last 3 to 6 months (check your consulate)
• Plain background in your consulate's colour (white or off-white for most; not white for France), no shadows
• Full face, looking straight at the camera
• Neutral expression, both eyes open
• No tinted or reflective glasses; ideally no glasses at all
• No hat; religious head covering only with the full face visible
• Not a scan, photocopy or photo copied from an ID
• Matches your consulate's own checklist

Remember that the consulate processing your application decides whether your photo is acceptable. If its checklist differs from this guide, follow the checklist.

For digital file specs for other countries' online applications, see our guide to passport photo size in pixels.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Schengen visa photo?

Schengen visa photos follow ICAO standards and are almost always 35 x 45 mm (3.5 x 4.5 cm). German missions, for example, ask for the face to take up 70 to 80% of the photo, which is 32 to 36 mm. Check your consulate's checklist, since details can vary.

How old can a Schengen visa photo be?

It depends on the consulate. The Netherlands accepts photos up to 6 months old, while the German Embassy in London asks for photos no older than three months. Use a photo taken as recently as possible and check your consulate's own checklist.

Can I wear glasses in a Schengen visa photo?

Some consulates allow it. The German Embassy in London permits glasses as long as the frames don't cover any part of the eyes, and the Spanish Consulate in Los Angeles rules out dark or reflective glasses. Removing your glasses is the safest choice.

Do I need to bring a photo if my facial image is taken at the visa appointment?

Not always. The Netherlands says applicants using an external service provider don't need to submit a photo because a digital photo is taken at the appointment. Other consulates still ask for a printed photo, so follow your own consulate's checklist.

Sources

• EUR-Lex - Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, the Visa Code (Articles 10 and 13)
• EUR-Lex - Regulation (EU) 2021/1134 amending the Visa Code (live facial image)
• European Commission - Applying for a Schengen visa
• ICAO - Doc 9303, Machine Readable Travel Documents
• German Missions in the United Kingdom - Visa FAQ (photo requirements)
• NetherlandsWorldwide - Checklist Schengen visa for tourism
• Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles - Schengen visas
• Consulate General of Italy in New York - Tourism and transit visas
• Service-Public - Quelle photo fournir pour un titre d'identité ? (French identity-photo background rule)