Schengen Area Schengen visa (C) Photo Requirements

The complete spec for a Schengen Area Schengen visa (C) photo, and how to hit it at home.

Print size	35 × 45 mm
Digital	420 × 560 min
Head height	70–80% of height
Background	White or light grey
Fine print	Face fully visible; no glare on glasses; recent 6 months.

How to shoot it

1. Daylight facing a window, plain white or light grey wall — see the lighting tutorial.
2. Check head height against the spec above before cropping — it is the #1 silent rejection.
3. Crop to exact size with the ID photo tool (this spec's proportions are baked in), print matte.
4. Confirm current rules with the issuing authority — specs drift, especially for digital submissions.

Other specs

FAQ

What size is a Schengen Area Schengen visa (C) photo?

35 × 45 millimetres (420 × 560 min in pixels where digital submission applies). Head height should be 70–80% of height of the frame.

What background does the Schengen Area Schengen visa (C) photo need?

White or light grey. Keep the background evenly lit — shadows are a top rejection cause. Face fully visible; no glare on glasses; recent 6 months.