Schengen visa photo requirements — what all 27 countries require
The Schengen Agreement covers 27 European countries. All member states apply the same ICAO biometric photo standard for visa applications. Whether you are applying to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, or any other Schengen country, these requirements apply:
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Print dimensions | 35 × 45 mm (portrait) |
| Digital resolution | 600 × 750 px at 300 DPI |
| Aspect ratio | 7:9 (portrait, not square) |
| Background | Plain white or very light grey |
| Head height in frame | 70–80% of frame height (chin to crown) |
| Eye position | Centred horizontally, upper third of photo |
| File format | JPEG |
| Expression | Neutral, both eyes open and visible |
| Glasses | Not recommended; many consulates now reject them |
| Head coverings | Only for verified religious reasons |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
The Schengen visa photo format is identical to the standard international passport photo (35×45 mm). If you already have a compliant passport photo taken within 6 months, it can typically be used for your Schengen visa application too.
How to generate your Schengen visa photo free with Bisnep
The Bisnep Passport & Visa Photo Generator supports the 35×45 mm ICAO standard used for Schengen applications. Your photo is cropped, resized, and background-corrected entirely in your browser — nothing is transmitted to any server.
Open the Bisnep photo tool
Go to bisnep.com/passport-photo on any device. No app, no account needed.
Upload your source photo
Choose a clear, front-facing photo. Natural light, plain background, no glasses. Your photo stays on your device at all times.
Select "Passport / Schengen Visa (35×45 mm)"
The crop area locks to the 7:9 portrait ratio. Position your face so it occupies roughly 75% of the frame height, with your chin near the bottom quarter and eyes in the upper portion.
Apply white background
Enable background replacement for a clean, uniform white background as required by all Schengen consulates.
Download your photo
Save the 600×750 px JPEG. Print it at 35×45 mm or attach the digital file directly to your VFS Global, TLScontact, or consulate online application.
The Bisnep tool uses the HTML5 Canvas API. Your photo never leaves your device. No server receives it, no cookie tracks it, and no account is created. Particularly important when handling photos for government identity documents.
Bisnep vs. other Schengen visa photo tools
Several paid and free tools generate Schengen visa photos. Here's an honest comparison of the main options available in 2025:
| Feature | Bisnep | PhotoAiD | Visafoto | IDPhoto4You |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free to use | ✅ Yes | ❌ Paid (~$6) | ❌ Paid (~$7) | ✅ Yes |
| No server upload | ✅ Yes | ❌ Uploads | ❌ Uploads | ❌ Uploads |
| 35×45 mm format | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| White background tool | ✅ Yes | ✅ AI-based | ✅ AI-based | ⚠️ Basic |
| AI compliance check | ❌ Manual | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ❌ Manual |
| No sign-up | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Optional | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Works on mobile | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
PhotoAiD and Visafoto include AI-powered compliance checking, which can flag whether your face framing, lighting, and background are within spec before you download. If you are applying for a Schengen visa and want maximum certainty, these paid tools provide an extra layer of validation. However, for the vast majority of applicants with a clear, well-lit front-facing photo, the free Bisnep tool produces a fully compliant result.
Country-specific notes for Schengen visa photos
While the core ICAO standard applies across all 27 Schengen member states, some embassies and consulates have minor additional requirements:
- France: Requires the photo to be printed in colour on glossy photo paper for in-person applications. Digital submissions to France-Visas accept JPEG under 4 MB.
- Germany: Specifies that the face must be centred and occupy 70–80% of the frame. Shadows across the background are a common rejection reason at German consulates specifically.
- Italy: The Italian consulate is particularly strict on the background being pure white, not off-white or cream.
- Netherlands: Digital applications via IND accept JPEG up to 2 MB. The 600×750 px Bisnep output is well within this.
- Spain: Requires recent photos (within 6 months). Both printed and digital formats accepted for visa applications.
Tips for taking a great source photo for your Schengen visa
- Face a window for even, shadow-free natural light. Avoid shooting with light behind you.
- Use a plain white or light grey wall as background. The Bisnep tool can correct the background, but a clean start gives a sharper result.
- Camera at eye level. Looking up or down at the camera changes the apparent face proportions and can cause rejection.
- Remove glasses. While not universally banned for Schengen visas (unlike US visas), most consulates now advise removing them to avoid reflections or obstruction of the eyes.
- No accessories on your head. Hats, caps, hair bands, or hoods are not permitted unless for religious reasons.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 35×45 mm Schengen photo the same as a UK or Australian passport photo?
Yes — the UK, Australia, and most Commonwealth countries also use the 35×45 mm ICAO standard. A photo generated for a Schengen visa can also be used for UK, Australian, and Indian passport applications (always check the latest requirements for the specific country).
Can I submit a digital photo or does it need to be printed?
It depends on how you apply. Most online Schengen visa portals (VFS Global, TLScontact, specific embassy sites) accept a digital JPEG upload. Physical applications at a consulate require printed photos — typically two copies at 35×45 mm. Print at any pharmacy or photo lab that prints 6×4 inch photos; two passport photos fit on one sheet.
What size should the digital file be for an online Schengen visa application?
Requirements vary slightly by portal. VFS Global typically accepts JPEG files between 20 KB and 4 MB. TLScontact specifies at least 400×500 px. The Bisnep output (600×750 px JPEG) meets both requirements comfortably.
My Schengen visa photo was rejected — what are the usual reasons?
The most common rejection reasons at Schengen consulates are: face too small in the frame (must be 70–80% of height), shadows on the face or background, non-white background, blurry image, photo older than 6 months, and glasses causing glare or obstruction. Retake in good natural light against a plain white wall and regenerate with the Bisnep tool.