Germany Schengen Visa Photo Requirements: 35 x 45 mm Biometric Photo, Face 70-80 %, Not Older Than 6 Months

For a German Schengen visa you need a biometric passport photo, 35 x 45 mm. The rules for the photo come from the German photo sheet that German embassies link to. Here is what they require.

Size and how many photos

German missions in the USA list one recent biometric passport photo (35 x 45 mm) in their Schengen visa checklist. Visa centres in other countries may ask for more: VFS Global in Mumbai asks for two recent photos, 35 x 45 mm, white background, face 70-80 % of the photo, not older than 6 months, and the German checklist at VFS Saudi Arabia asks for two (one fixed to the form, one loose).

What the photo must show

• The face from the tip of the chin to the top of the head, both halves of the face clearly visible.
• The face takes up 70-80 % of the photo height.
• The head centred and straight.
• The face evenly lit, no reflections, no red eyes.
• Everything sharp, with good contrast; colours, especially skin tone, natural.
• A plain single-colour background without shadows, clearly contrasting with the face and hair.
• Neutral expression, looking straight into the camera, mouth closed.
• Eyes clearly visible, not covered by hair; no lenses that are too dark or reflect light.

Head coverings and children

Fingerprints and timing

Under the EU Visa Code, fingerprints are taken in person at the first application and copied to later ones if first collected less than 59 months earlier; children under 12 are exempt. You apply no more than six months before the trip and, as a rule, no later than 15 calendar days before it.

Need a 35 x 45 mm biometric photo with the face at 70-80 %? Make it on our Germany Schengen visa photo page.