EU / Schengen Visa Photo Requirements 2026

Based on European Commission Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code) and ICAO Doc 9303 biometric standards. Applies to all 27 EU member states and Schengen area countries. Last reviewed March 2026.

What Is the Schengen Area?

The Schengen Area comprises 29 European countries that have eliminated passport controls at their mutual borders. While most are EU member states, some non-EU countries (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein) are also part of Schengen. A Schengen visa allows travel throughout all member countries.

All EU passports and Schengen visas follow the same photo standard, which is defined by EU Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004 for passports and No 810/2009 for visas. Both reference ICAO Doc 9303 for biometric photo specifications.

Photo Dimensions

Both Schengen visa photos and EU passport photos must be 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall. This is the same format used by the UK, Australia, and many other countries that follow ICAO biometric standards. The photo must be in colour and printed on photographic paper.

Most Schengen visa applications require 2 identical photos submitted with the application. Some embassies or visa application centres (such as VFS Global or BLS International) may accept 1 or 2 photos depending on the nationality and application type.

Face and Head Size

The face must occupy 70–80% of the photo height. In practical terms, the head (chin to crown) must measure between 32 mm and 36 mm within the 45 mm frame. The face must be centred horizontally and positioned in the upper two-thirds of the photo.

The entire face including forehead, chin, and both cheeks must be fully visible and not cut off. Both eyes must be open, clearly visible, and at the same height in the frame (no head tilt).

Background

The background must be plain white or very light grey. It must be uniform without shadows, patterns, or other objects. There must be clear contrast between the background and the applicant's face and hair — pale-skinned applicants with light hair should use a light grey background to ensure sufficient contrast.

Expression and Eyes

A neutral expression with mouth closed is required. Both eyes must be open with the gaze directed straight at the camera. Glasses are not permitted. The ICAO standard, which all EU countries follow, requires that eyes be free of reflections, tints, or obstructions for accurate biometric comparison.

Country-Specific Variations

While the base standard is uniform across the Schengen area, some countries have minor additional requirements:

• Germany: Photos must be printed on ISO/IEC 19794-5 compliant paper; background must be uniformly bright.
• France: Requires the photo to be printed by a professional photo lab; self-printed photos may be scrutinised more closely.
• Netherlands: Photo must show natural skin tones and must not be digitally altered.
• Italy: Strictly enforces the 3–5 mm head-to-top-edge margin requirement.

Always check with the specific embassy where you are submitting your application for the most current requirements.

Complete Specifications Table

Common Rejection Reasons

• Photo older than 6 months
• Background not plain white or light grey
• Face proportion outside 70–80% of frame
• Glasses worn
• Shadows on background or face
• Non-neutral expression
• Head not facing directly forward
• Photo digitally retouched or altered
• Printed on standard paper (not photographic paper)