Schengen visa photo size and maker
A Schengen visa photo is 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm), with the face taking up 70 to 80% of the photo: 32 to 36 mm from the chin to the top of the head. The table has the size in inches and pixels; the tool below frames and measures the head for you.
| Size | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
|---|---|
| In inches | 1.38 × 1.77 in |
| In pixels | 413 × 531 px at 300 dpi · 827 × 1063 px at 600 dpi |
| Face height | 32 to 36 mm, chin to top of head (70 to 80%) |
| Background | White or off-white |
| How recent | 3 or 6 months, depending on the consulate |
- Free, no watermark
- Photo stays on your device
- No retouching
- Rules checked 11 November 2026
Schengen visa photo requirements
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm, printed on photo-quality paper |
|---|---|
| Face size | 70 to 80% of the photo, which is a height of 32 to 36 mm |
| Background | White or off-white |
| How recent | No older than three months (Embassy London); no older than six months (Embassy Dublin) |
| View | Full-face view, directly facing the camera |
| Expression | Neutral, with both eyes open |
| Glasses | Permitted as long as the frames do not cover any part of the eyes |
Checked against the official source on 11 November 2026. Source: German Embassy London: Visa FAQ (photo requirements) · German Embassy Dublin: Schengen visa FAQ. Rules change without notice, so read the official page before you submit.
What the photo must show
- Your full face, looking directly at the camera, with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
- No hat or head covering that hides the hair or hairline. Religious head coverings are accepted if they cast no shadow on the face.
- Nothing covering the eyes. If you wear glasses, the frames must not cover any part of them.
- A print on photo-quality paper. Photos copied or scanned from a driving licence or other official document are not accepted.
- The Dublin embassy states that an application is returned unprocessed if the photo is obviously older than six months or does not meet the requirements.
Three months or six?
Two missions of the same country publish different limits for how old the photo may be: three months in London, six in Dublin. If your consulate's page gives a figure, use it. If you are unsure, a photo taken within the last three months satisfies both.
Why the head size matters most
A photo that is exactly 35 × 45 mm can still be refused if the face is too small in it. The rule is a face height of 32 to 36 mm, measured from the chin to the top of the head. On a 45 mm photo that leaves only a few millimetres above the head and below the chin, so a photo cropped loosely from a holiday picture almost always fails. The tool on this page frames the head to the middle of the allowed range and shows the measurement in millimetres.
Printing
Eight 35 × 45 mm photos fit on one 4 × 6 inch (10 × 15 cm) print. Order the sheet at 100% size on glossy or matte photo paper, then cut along the dashed lines.
Common reasons a Schengen visa photo is refused
- Face smaller than 32 mm, usually because the photo was cropped from a larger picture without measuring.
- A photo that is too old for the consulate's limit.
- A coloured, grey or patterned background.
- Glasses frames or hair covering part of the eyes.
- A print on plain office paper instead of photo paper.
✓ Good: plain background, even light, neutral face
✕ Shadow on the wall and face
✕ Busy background
✕ Glare on glasses
✕ Selfie taken too close
✕ Too dark, orange light
More on this in why ID photos get rejected. The examples use an off-white wall. The background row in the table above gives the exact colour this document asks for.
How to use this tool
- Ask someone to take the photo from about 1.5 m, at eye level, in even daylight in front of a plain wall.
- Add the photo above. The tool finds your face and frames it to the size on this page.
- Check the green lines: one on the top of your head, one on your chin. Drag or zoom to adjust.
- Read the automatic checks, then download. Nothing in the photo is retouched, only cropped and resized.
Questions about the Schengen visa photo
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
A Schengen visa photo is 35 × 45 mm. German missions require the face to take up 70 to 80% of the photo, which is a height of 32 to 36 mm.
How old can a Schengen visa photo be?
It depends on the consulate. The German Embassy in London asks for a photo no older than three months, and the German Embassy in Dublin no older than six months. Check your consulate's page.
Can I wear glasses in a Schengen visa photo?
German missions permit glasses as long as the frames do not cover any part of the eyes. Avoid reflections on the lenses.
Can I use the same photo for a Schengen visa and a UK passport?
Not always. Both are 35 × 45 mm, but the UK allows a head of 29 to 34 mm and asks for a cream or light grey background, while German missions ask for 32 to 36 mm on white or off-white.
Guides for this photo
- Why passport and ID photos get rejectedThe reasons authorities list themselves, and how to avoid each
- How to take a passport photo at homeDistance, light, background and pose, step by step
- Are edited or AI passport photos allowed?What ten authorities say about retouching, filters and AI
- How to print passport photos on 4 × 6 paperHow many fit, the settings to use, and the right paper
- Can I take my own passport photo?Where a home photo is accepted, and where it is not