Schengen Visa Photo Size and Requirements: How to Meet VFS and Consulate Standards (2025)
The Schengen visa photo is one of the most strictly controlled elements of a visa application. Consulates and VFS centers apply uniform but very precise photo requirements, and even small non-compliance issues related to size, face proportions, background, or recency can lead to delays or outright refusal.
This page explains how to meet Schengen visa photo requirements and size standards in 2025, based on what is actually verified by VFS officers and consulates worldwide.
- The only accepted Schengen visa photo size is 35 × 45 mm
- Face height must measure 32–36 mm to meet biometric standards
- Background must be plain white or very light, with no shadows
- Photos must be taken within the last 6 months
- Photo compliance and travel insurance compliance are the two most systematically checked elements at VFS
- Applications combining a compliant photo and a consulate-accepted insurance certificate face fewer delays
What is the official Schengen visa photo size accepted by VFS and consulates?
The Schengen visa photo size is strictly standardized across all Schengen countries and visa application centers, including VFS and TLS.
📐 Criterion | Official requirement |
|---|---|
📏 Photo size | 35 × 45 mm |
📐 Size in cm | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
📐 Size in inches | 1.38 × 1.77 in |
🧭 Orientation | Vertical (portrait) |
This format applies to:
- schengen visa passport photo size
- photo size for schengen visa
- schengen visa photo size vfs
- passport size photo for schengen visa
Using a different format, even slightly, is one of the most common reasons for immediate rejection during VFS pre-checks.
What are the exact Schengen visa photo specifications for biometric acceptance?
Beyond size, consulates and VFS centers verify biometric proportions, which are essential for facial recognition systems.
📌 Face and head positioning rules
👤 Biometric element | Required specification |
|---|---|
📏 Face height | 32–36 mm (chin to crown) |
📊 Face coverage | Approximately 70–80% of the photo |
🎯 Head position | Centered, straight, facing the camera |
👀 Eyes | Open, clearly visible, horizontally aligned |
Photos that respect the size but not the biometric proportions are among the most frequently rejected.
📸 Schengen Visa Photo Examples
Looking at Schengen visa photo examples is one of the most effective ways to understand how biometric rules are applied in practice by VFS and consulates.
✅ Examples of accepted Schengen visa photos
- Photo size exactly 35 × 45 mm
- Face height between 32 and 36 mm
- Plain white or very light background
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- Even lighting with no shadows
- Face fully visible and centered
These photos typically pass VFS document intake without additional checks.
❌ Examples of rejected Schengen visa photos
- Incorrect photo size or cropped format
- Dark, coloured, or textured background
- Shadows on the face or behind the head
- Smiling, head tilted, or eyes partially closed
- Sunglasses, reflections, or fashion headwear
Many applicants assume their photo is acceptable because it looks “professional”, but VFS checks technical compliance, not aesthetics. Comparing your photo to verified schengen visa photo examples significantly reduces rejection risk.
What background color is required for a Schengen visa photo?
The schengen visa photo background color must allow clear facial recognition and uniform contrast.
Accepted background
- Plain white or very light
- Uniform, without texture or gradient
- No shadows on the face or background
Rejected background
- Dark or coloured backgrounds
- Studio gradients
- Visible objects, lines, or patterns
- Uneven or poor lighting
Background issues are one of the top rejection causes at VFS, even when the photo size is correct.
What expression, posture, and accessories are allowed in a Schengen visa photo?
🙂 Facial expression and posture
- Neutral expression only
- Mouth closed
- Head straight (no tilt)
- Eyes open and looking directly at the camera
🧢 Accessories and appearance
- No sunglasses or tinted glasses
- Clear prescription glasses allowed if no reflection
- No hats or fashion headwear
- Religious head coverings allowed if the face is fully visible
Photos showing smiles, head tilt, or reflections are often rejected during VFS pre-checks.
How recent must a Schengen visa photo be in 2025?
A Schengen visa photo must:
- Be taken within the last 6 months
- Accurately reflect your current appearance
Even a technically correct photo can be rejected if it no longer matches the applicant’s appearance. This applies equally to France Schengen visa photo requirements and all other Schengen states.
What are the digital photo requirements for VFS uploads?
Many applicants must upload a digital Schengen visa photo before their appointment.
💻 Digital criterion | Common requirement |
|---|---|
📁 File format | JPEG / JPG |
📐 Aspect ratio | Equivalent to 35 × 45 mm |
🖥️ Resolution | Minimum threshold (country-specific) |
🎨 Editing | No filters or retouching |
Always follow the exact instructions on the VFS portal, as non-compliant uploads can block appointment validation.
Why do Schengen visa applications fail even with a correct photo?
From an expert perspective, photo compliance alone is not sufficient. At VFS and consulates, two elements are checked first:
- Schengen visa photo requirements and size
- Travel insurance compliance
Many refusals occur because the insurance:
- Does not meet the €30,000 medical coverage requirement
- Is not valid across all Schengen countries
- Does not cover the full duration of stay
- Is unclear or not immediately verifiable
This explains why many applicants use platforms like HelloSafe, which allow them to compare only travel insurance policies accepted by Schengen consulates and VFS, obtain an instant insurance certificate, benefit from negotiated prices, receive a refund if the visa is refused, and pay in their local currency.
Get your Schengen travel insurance certificate in 2 minutes
During the appointment, VFS officers usually verify consistency between:
- Schengen visa photo size and specifications
- Passport validity
- Application form details
- Travel dates
- Travel insurance certificate
Applications that combine a fully compliant photo with a clear, consulate-accepted insurance certificate generally move through the process faster.
FAQ
The official Schengen visa photo size is 35 × 45 mm, which corresponds to 3.5 × 4.5 cm or approximately 1.38 × 1.77 inches. This format is mandatory for all Schengen visa applications submitted through VFS or directly at consulates. Any deviation, even minimal, can result in rejection during the pre-check stage.
Yes. The Schengen visa photo size and requirements are identical for all Schengen countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. While administrative procedures may differ by country, the photo specifications are harmonised and strictly enforced across all VFS centers and consulates.
The face height (measured from the chin to the top of the head) must be between 32 mm and 36 mm. This ensures that the face occupies roughly 70–80% of the photo, which is necessary for biometric identification systems. Photos that meet the size requirement but not the face proportion are frequently rejected.
The background must be plain white or very light, with no patterns, shadows, or textures. Dark or coloured backgrounds, even if uniform, are not accepted. Poor background contrast is one of the most common reasons for rejection at VFS document intake.
No. The Schengen visa photo requirements impose a neutral facial expression. Smiling, even slightly, can lead to rejection because it alters facial proportions used for biometric recognition. The mouth must be closed, and the face relaxed.
Clear prescription glasses are allowed only if there is no reflection, no glare, and the eyes are fully visible. Sunglasses or tinted glasses are strictly prohibited. If there is any doubt, removing glasses is recommended to avoid rejection.
The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months. Even if an older photo meets all technical requirements, it may be rejected if it no longer reflects the applicant’s current appearance. This rule applies to all Schengen visa applications in 2025.
Yes, many VFS portals require a digital Schengen visa photo upload before the appointment. The digital photo must respect the same size ratio (35 × 45 mm) and biometric standards as printed photos. File format and resolution requirements can vary by country, so applicants must follow the exact instructions on the VFS website.
VFS and consulates assess photos based on technical compliance, not visual quality. Common reasons for rejection include:
- Incorrect face size
- Shadows on the background
- Slight head tilt
- Non-compliant background color
- Photo too old
Comparing your photo with official Schengen visa photo examples is one of the most effective ways to avoid these issues.
Yes. In practice, photo compliance and travel insurance compliance are checked first during VFS appointments. Even with a perfect photo, applications can be delayed or refused if the insurance certificate does not meet Schengen requirements (coverage amount, validity period, geographic scope).
This is why many applicants use platforms such as HelloSafe, which allow them to compare only travel insurance policies accepted by Schengen consulates, obtain an immediate insurance certificate, benefit from negotiated prices, and receive a refund if the visa is refused.
No document guarantees approval, as the final decision remains at the discretion of the consulate. However, submitting a fully compliant photo together with a clear, consulate-accepted insurance certificate significantly reduces the risk of delays, additional requests, or technical refusals at VFS.
