head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceEuropean Union / Schengen authorities
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Schengen area EU passport photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Plain light background. |
| Pose | Full face, head centred, no tilt. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | No tinting or reflections; eyes must be fully visible. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No shadows on the face or background. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing, without unnecessary accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
EU passport photos follow harmonized EU/Schengen biometric standard with implementation by individual member-state authorities. The common spec is 35×45mm following ICAO 9303 Document baseline: head 32-36mm chin-to-crown (70-80% of photo), neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed.
Background: most EU members require light grey (Germany strict on this), some accept white or cream (Belgium/Sweden/Netherlands flexible). EU passports are biometric chip cards with photo, fingerprints (since 2009), and EU travel/Schengen rights.
Each EU member-state issues its own passport but they all carry the EU citizen designation.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Schengen area EU passport photos get rejected.
Common reasons a document photo is rejected, checked against the requirements European Union / Schengen authorities publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Head outside 32-36mm range | Re-shoot to ICAO baseline |
| Background non-uniform | Re-shoot against light-grey or member-state-specific backdrop |
| Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
How to take it
Background: plain light
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 70–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | European Union / Schengen authorities |
|---|---|
| Source | Council Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004 |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the Schengen area EU passport photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 70–80% of the photo height.
Plain light background. Behind you there should be only a plain wall: no pattern, shadows or objects. Any light wall at home will do — the tool sets the exact background colour.
Yes. A phone and a light wall near a window are enough. The rear camera is sharper than the front one, so ask someone to take the photo or use a 3-second timer. The tool crops it to size, fixes the background and checks it against the Schengen area EU passport photo rules.
Most passport offices ask for a photo taken within the last six months. It should look like you today: after a new haircut or beard, take a new one.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the Schengen area authority — the refund policy page has the details.
No tinting or reflections; eyes must be fully visible. If you keep them on, tilt them slightly downwards by lifting the arms a little above your ears: this usually moves reflections of a window or lamp off the lenses.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: EU blue card, EU ID card, national visa (Type D), residence card, Schengen visa.