The Schengen specification
Common requirements across the Schengen area:
- Size: 35 × 45mm (413 × 531 px at 300 DPI).
- Face height: 70–80% of the frame, which is 32–36mm from chin to crown.
- Background: plain light grey or off-white, uniform and shadow-free.
- Taken within the last 6 months, in colour, sharp and in focus.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera.
- No sunglasses, no tinted lenses, no glare on ordinary glasses.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the full face visible.
The 70–80% face rule
Schengen consulates specify face height as a proportion of the frame rather than an absolute measurement, which is stricter in practice than it sounds. It is the single most common rejection reason.
On the 531-pixel height, 70–80% is 372–425 pixels from chin to crown. Frame so the head clearly dominates the image, with only a few millimetres of space above the crown and the shoulders barely entering the bottom of the frame.
Two photos, and one caveat
Most Schengen applications ask for two identical recent photographs. Resize once and print twice — they must match.
Individual consulates occasionally add their own conditions, most often on background colour, where some prefer white and others light grey. Check the specific consulate's page before printing.
Frequently asked questions
- Does one photo work for every Schengen country?
- Yes. The specification is shared across all Schengen states via ICAO 9303, so a compliant photo is accepted anywhere in the zone. Verify background colour with your specific consulate.
- How recent must the photo be?
- Within the last 6 months, and it must reflect your current appearance.
- Is the UK size the same?
- The dimensions are identical at 35 × 45mm. The UK specifies head height as 29–34mm in absolute terms, while Schengen specifies 70–80% of the frame — very close, but worth checking against your target country.