Free check · by the document rules
Schengen Area EU passport photo checker
Upload a photo — we check it against every requirement of the document and give you a verdict.
- Your photo never leaves your device
- Free, no sign-up
- 33 checks by the authority rules
EU passportplain lightglasses — no glaresample
Step 1 · Upload a photo
or drop the file onto the drawing on the left
- Your photo never leaves your device
- Free, no sign-up
What we check — the document requirements
- 1Size and filePhoto and file size — as this document expects them35 × 45 mm
- 2Head in the photoHow much of the photo the head takes — from the crown to the chin70–80 % of the photo height
- 3Eye heightHow high the eyes sit — measured from the bottom edge of the photo55–70 % from the bottom of the photo
- 4BackgroundColour and evenness of the background behind the headplain light
- 5Glasses and headwearWhether glasses and head coverings are allowed — by this document's rulesglasses — no glare
- 6Pose and faceLooking straight at the camera, mouth closed, a calm faceneutral face
- 7Light and sharpnessEven light on the face, a sharp colour photoeven light, sharp photo
- Document
- EU passport35 × 45 mm
- Rules
- European Union / Schengen authoritiesgeneral authority rules · 17 May 2026 · source
- Checked
- in your browserthe photo stays on your device
- Verdict
- waiting for a photo
Notes to the sheet
Schengen Area EU passport photo requirements at a glance
- The Schengen Area EU passport photo is 35 × 45 mm.
- The head takes up 70–80 % of the photo height.
- The eyes sit at 55–70 % from the bottom of the photo.
- Background: plain light.
- Glasses are fine if the lenses are clear and free of glare.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the whole face visible.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed.
- Rules: European Union / Schengen authorities, checked on 17 May 2026.
Why Schengen Area EU passport photos are rejected most often
- Wrong photo size
- Head height outside 70-80% of frame
- Background not plain
- Bringing a printed photo to the appointment
- Photo older than 6 months
What we don't check
- When the picture was taken. We read the date from the file if it survived, but re-saving wipes it — and many authorities ask for a recent photo.
- Whether the picture was edited. Retouching, filters and AI changes cannot be proved from a file.
- Whether you have sent this picture before. Some authorities reject a photo that was already used in an earlier application.
- How the photo will be printed. Paper, trimming and print quality cannot be judged from a file.
- The route you apply through. Some countries want a code from an approved photographer, or take the picture at the office themselves.
Frequently asked
What size is the Schengen Area EU passport photo?
35 × 45 mm, with the head taking up 70–80 % of the photo height. The check compares your photo with these numbers and crops it to size for free.
What background does the Schengen Area EU passport photo need?
Light and plain — white or light grey, for example, without shadows or patterns. If yours does not fit, the free fix replaces it.
Can I wear glasses in the Schengen Area EU passport photo?
Yes, if the lenses are clear, free of glare and the frame does not cover the eyes. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not allowed.
Can I smile in the Schengen Area EU passport photo?
No: the expression is neutral, the mouth closed, the eyes looking straight into the camera.
Can I wear a head covering in the Schengen Area EU passport photo?
Only for religious reasons — and the whole face must stay visible, from chin to forehead, without shadows.
How do I take a child's photo for the Schengen Area EU passport?
Choose who is in the photo on the sheet: under 11, under 6 or under 1. Where the document has no child numbers of its own, the check uses the ICAO rules for children: the head takes up 50–90 % of the photo height; children under 6 may turn the head slightly (up to 15°) and need not keep a neutral face; babies under one may have their eyes closed.
Which rules is the Schengen Area EU passport photo checked against?
The general photo requirements of the authority (European Union / Schengen authorities) — it has no separate page for this document. Where the authority gives no numbers, the ICAO document photo baseline applies: «Why» on every row shows which.
Can I print the Schengen Area EU passport photo at home?
Yes: «Print on a 10 × 15 sheet» lays out your Schengen Area EU passport photo (35 × 45 mm) on a standard sheet — print it at a photo shop or on a home printer; the size on the sheet is exact.
Is the check free? Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
Free, no sign-up. The check and the fix run right in your browser — the photo never leaves your device; it goes to a server only if you choose the AI yourself.