Free Schengen Visa Photo Maker

A Schengen visa photo must be 35×45 mm — the standard ICAO biometric size used across all 26 Schengen member states (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Greece, Portugal, etc.). The size is identical for short-stay tourist visas (Type C), airport transit visas (Type A), and long-stay national visas (Type D).

Yes — it is mandatory. Schengen visa applicants must show proof of travel medical insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage, valid throughout the Schengen area, covering medical emergencies and repatriation. This is a hard legal requirement under EU Visa Code Regulation (EC) No 810/2009. Without it, the visa is refused regardless of photo compliance.

Yes. The Schengen Area uses one unified visa photo specification across all 26 member states. The photo you submit at a French consulate is identical to what Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, or any other Schengen country requires. Some embassies apply slight additional preferences (e.g., explicit "no smile") but the size, background, and core rules are identical.

Plain light grey or light cream — explicitly the EU spec. Pure white is sometimes accepted by some consulates but officially light grey is preferred. Patterns, shadows, and busy backgrounds are always rejected. The exact requirement is in EU Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, Annex II.

No. The Schengen Area updated its visa photo rules in 2016 to prohibit eyeglasses, including prescription glasses. The rule applies uniformly across all 26 member states. Medical-necessity exceptions require a doctor's statement and are reviewed case-by-case at the consulate.

Within the last 6 months. The Schengen Visa Code requires recent likeness — if your appearance has changed (hair color, weight, facial hair, glasses status), retake even within the 6-month window. Some consulates inspect EXIF metadata in digital uploads to verify the date.

Top reasons: face occupies less than 70% of photo height (Schengen requires 32–36 mm chin to crown — taller than U.S. spec), background not light grey, glasses visible, smiling, or photo more than 6 months old. The consulate provides specific feedback at the appointment. Photo rejections are the second-most common reason for Schengen visa application delays.

No. The Schengen Area requires a neutral expression with mouth closed. No smile, no teeth, no exaggerated expressions. Eyes must be open, looking directly at the camera, both clearly visible. The biometric border control systems across the Schengen Area are calibrated for neutral facial templates.

Most consulates require 2 identical printed photos for the in-person application. A few accept just 1 (e.g., online appointment-booking consulates). Bring 2 to be safe — the cost is negligible and saves a trip back if the first attempt fails. Photos must be recent and identical (taken in the same session).