Schengen area · photo maker
Schengen Visa Photo (35×45 mm)
Schengen Visa photo rules: 35×45 mm, head 70–80% of the photo height, light-coloured background, taken within 6 months. IDPlain checks your photo against each rule, tells you exactly what to fix, and makes print-ready sheets for $3.99. We only crop and resize — never edit.
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Official requirements
- Print size
- 35×45 mm
- Head size
- face takes up 70–80% of the photograph (EU-hosted ICAO guideline); ICAO TR: chin-to-crown L/B 60–90%
- Background
- be taken with a plain light-coloured background
- Glasses
- eyes clearly visible, no flash reflection, no tinted lenses, frames must not cover eyes
- Head covering
- not permitted except for religious reasons; chin to forehead and both face edges visible
- Expression
- neutral expression, mouth closed, looking at camera
- Taken within
- 6 months
Sources: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu, icao.int, eur-lex.europa.eu. Last checked Nov 10, 2026.
Download these requirements as a one-page PDF to bring to the counter.
What we will not do
“The face images shall not be modified locally, e.g., for removal of scars, pimples or other skin impurities or to modify the shape or location of the nose, the eyes…”Official rule
“any image processing targeting at background removal shall not be implemented. If necessary, the MRTD issuing authority may remove or alter the image background later”Official example of an altered photo
That's why IDPlain never replaces the background, retouches skin or "fixes" lighting. We check the photo you took and tell you how to retake it if something is off; then we only crop and resize it to the official size. Why we never edit the background
- ✓ Document
- 2 Photo
- 3 Check
- 4 Preview
- 5 Download
Before you shoot
- Plain, light wall
- Face a window
- Phone at eye level
- Neutral face, eyes open
Schengen Visa photo questions
Can I wear glasses in my Schengen Visa photo?
The official rule: “eyes clearly visible, no flash reflection, no tinted lenses, frames must not cover eyes.”
Can I smile in my Schengen Visa photo?
The official rule: “neutral expression, mouth closed, looking at camera.”
Can I wear a hat or head covering?
The official rule: “not permitted except for religious reasons; chin to forehead and both face edges visible.”
How recent must the photo be?
It must have been taken within the last 6 months.
Can I edit the photo or change the background?
No. The official rule: “The face images shall not be modified locally, e.g., for removal of scars, pimples or other skin impurities or to modify the shape or location of the nose, the eyes…” That's why IDPlain only crops and resizes.
Last updated