Schengen visa photo
Every Schengen country uses the same biometric photo format for short-stay visas: 35 × 45 mm, with your head 32 to 36 mm from chin to crown on a plain light background. Altols crops your photo to that size and gives you a print sheet and a digital copy.
Head and shoulders, facing the camera, in front of a plain light wall. Your photo stays on your device.
Schengen visa photo requirements
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head size | 32 to 36 mm, chin to crown (70 to 80% of the photo) |
| Background | Plain white, off-white or very light grey |
| Digital file | 827 × 1063 px (35 × 45 mm at 600 dpi) |
Source: EU Visa Code, Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, and ICAO Doc 9303. Checked October 2026.
Before you take the photo
- Taken within the last 6 months.
- Plain white, off-white or very light grey background.
- Face straight to camera, neutral expression, mouth closed.
- Eyes clearly visible, no tinted glasses or reflections.
- No editing beyond cropping.
How it works
- Choose a photo. It stays on your device.
- Altols finds your face and crops to 35 × 45 mm with the head at the right size. Adjust it if you like.
- Review the automatic checks and the watermarked preview.
- Pay $4.99 USD once and download the digital file and the 6 × 4 inch print sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same for France, Germany, Italy and Spain?
Yes for Schengen short-stay visas, which follow the EU Visa Code and the ICAO standard. National passports and residence permits can differ, so this page is for visa applications.
Do visa centres take photos on site?
Many VFS and TLScontact centres capture a photo at your appointment, but you are usually still asked to bring one. Check your visa centre's checklist.