Schengen visa photo rules
The European Commission’s visa page asks for “a photo in compliance with ICAO standards”. Each consulate then publishes its own checklist.
| Rule | Requirement | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | ICAO-compliant photo | Official (EU) |
| Size | 35 × 45 mm (common consulate rule) | Official (consulate example) |
| Alternative size | 40 × 50 mm accepted by some consulates | Official (consulate example) |
| Pixels for 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px | approx. at 300 DPI |
| Head size | Check your consulate | Not verified EU-wide |
| Background | Plain light | Official (consulate example) |
| Age of photo | No older than 6 months | Official (consulate example) |
Official source: European Commission – Applying for a Schengen visa, checked 3 Nov 2026. Always confirm with the issuing authority before you print or upload – rules change. Consulate examples: Czech embassy, Cairo and Estonian embassy, Tbilisi.
How to use the cropper
Drag the 35 × 45 frame over your photo so your face is centred with some space above the head, then download a 413 × 531 px JPEG (approx. at 300 DPI) and print it at 100% size. If your consulate asks for 40 × 50 mm, use Crop image with a custom 4:5 ratio instead. This tool only crops, resizes and checks size. It does not replace backgrounds, retouch faces or decide whether a photo will be accepted.
Head size: check your consulate
Many websites quote a head height of 32–36 mm or 70–80% of the photo. We could not confirm a single EU-wide figure on an official page, so follow the checklist of the consulate you apply to.
Other countries: see the passport photo size hub.