Applying for a Schengen visa or an EU passport? The photo is a biometric 35×45 mm shot. With your phone, a plain light-grey background and a free tool, you can make one at home.
Face fills about 70–80% (roughly 32–36 mm chin to crown)
Background
Plain light grey (a common biometric preference)
Expression
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking at the camera
Colour
Colour, sharp, no red-eye, no shadows
Taken within
Last 6 months
Schengen photos follow the ICAO biometric standard used across EU countries. Individual consulates can have small extra preferences — always confirm with the embassy or VFS/visa centre you are applying through. This guide is general help only.
Step by step: take the photo
Plain light-grey wall (a common preference for biometric photos), standing about half a metre away.
Even, soft daylight from a window — no shadows on the face or behind the head.
Someone photographs you from about 1.2 m at eye level, phone upright, you facing straight ahead.
Neutral face — mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible, no smiling.
Take several and pick the sharpest, most evenly lit one.
💡 Same size across the EU: most EU passport and Schengen visa photos use 35×45 mm on a plain light background — so one good shot works for several European applications.
Common reasons Schengen visa photos get rejected
Shadows on the face or background — the most common issue for biometric photos.
Background too white, dark or patterned — plain light grey is safest.
Face too small or off-centre — it should fill most of the frame.
Smiling, tilted head, or hair over the eyes.
Glare or reflections on glasses — clearest to remove them.
FAQ
What size is a Schengen visa photo? 35 × 45 mm, biometric, with the face filling roughly 70–80% of the frame on a plain light-grey background.
Is an EU passport photo the same as a Schengen visa photo? The size (35×45 mm) and biometric look are the same in most cases, so one good photo usually works for both.
Can I take it at home? Yes. Lighting and a plain background matter most — any modern phone has enough resolution.