Schengen / EU Visa photo — correct size, accepted first time
Upload your photo and OnSpec formats it to the exact Schengen specification: 35 × 45 mm at 600 DPI, with the head positioned inside the accepted range. The crop and a watermarked preview are free.
Spec verified against the official Schengen requirements · last checked 2026-07-16.
Upload a photo to position it inside the frame
35 × 45 mm · 827 × 1063 px @ 600 DPI
The crop and a watermarked sample are free. Unlock removes the watermark and gives you the print-ready file plus a 4×6 sheet, backed by our acceptance guarantee for the specifications we control.
Your photo is processed on this device — including background removal. If you hand it over from your phone, that transfer is end-to-end encrypted: our server only ever holds a blob it can’t read, deleted the moment your computer picks it up.
Schengen photo requirements
A Schengen visa photo follows the ICAO 9303 standard that all 27 Schengen states share: 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall, with your face filling 70–80% of the frame (32–36 mm from chin to crown) against a plain, neutral light-grey background. The EU requires an ICAO-compliant photo, so one correctly-made photo works whichever member state's consulate you apply through — the two things people get wrong are making the face too small and using a pure-white background where a grey one is expected. OnSpec sizes the file to exactly 35 x 45 mm at 600 DPI and shows a 70–80% head guide.
- Photo size
- 35 × 45 mm
- File at 600 DPI
- 827 × 1063 px
- Head height
- 32–36 mm
- Background
- #D9D9D9
- Photo must be 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall, in colour, taken within the last 6 months.
- Your face must fill 70–80% of the frame — 32 to 36 mm from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head.
- Use a plain, neutral light-grey background — the ICAO-safe default; pure white is often rejected.
- Face the camera straight on with a neutral expression and your mouth closed.
- Keep both eyes open and clearly visible, with no hair across them.
- Remove glasses to be safe; if worn, they must be clear (no tint) with no glare or reflection over the eyes.
- No head covering, except worn daily for religious reasons.
- This one photo meets the ICAO standard used by all 27 Schengen states.
How to make a compliant Schengen photo
- 1.Take or choose a recent, front-facing colour photo (within the last 6 months) against a plain, evenly-lit light-grey wall.
- 2.Upload it to OnSpec and select Schengen / EU Visa.
- 3.Drag and zoom so your face fills 70–80% of the frame — crown near the upper guide, chin near the lower — giving a 32–36 mm head.
- 4.Remove your glasses to avoid glare, and turn on background removal to sit on a neutral light grey rather than white.
- 5.Download the 35 x 45 mm file or the 4x6 sheet, then check your specific consulate's guidance for any preferred background shade before you submit.
Why Schengen photos get rejected
- Using your home country's size (for example a US 2 x 2 inch square) instead of 35 x 45 mm.
- Face too small — it must fill 70–80% of the frame, not sit in the middle with lots of space around it.
- A pure-white background where the consulate expects a neutral grey.
- A photo older than 6 months.
- Glasses causing glare or reflection, or frames covering the eyes.
OnSpec formats your photo to the pan-Schengen ICAO standard — size, head height, neutral pose, and a plain light background. Individual consulates (for example Germany) can prefer a specific background shade, so check your consulate's guidance for its exact shade before submitting. Our acceptance guarantee covers the ICAO specifications OnSpec controls, not consulate-specific background preferences.
Requirements formatted from the official Schengen guidance. Spec last verified 2026-07-16. Rules can change — always check the official source before submitting.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Schengen visa photo?
35 mm wide by 45 mm tall. At 600 DPI that is an 827 x 1063 pixel file, which OnSpec produces exactly. The same size is used across all Schengen countries.
How big should my face be?
Your face must fill 70–80% of the photo height — between 32 mm and 36 mm from the bottom of your chin to the crown of your head. This is the most common reason ICAO photos are rejected.
White or grey background for a Schengen visa?
A plain, neutral light-grey background is the ICAO-safe choice and what stricter consulates (such as Germany) expect. Pure white is often rejected. OnSpec places you on a compliant light grey.
Does one photo work for every Schengen country?
Yes for the core ICAO specification — size, head height, neutral pose, and a plain light background are shared across all 27 states. A few consulates state a preferred background shade, so check yours before submitting.
How recent must the photo be?
It must have been taken within the last 6 months and reflect your current appearance.