35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) · 413 × 531 px · 32–36 mm · white, light grey, or light blue
Official measurements
The office may reject an edited photo, and a replaced background counts as an edit. The free crop, which keeps your original photo, is the safer choice.
Choose a photo, line your face up with the guides, then download the photo at the exact pixel size and a print sheet with as many copies as fit. Your photo is processed on your device and not uploaded.
Before you start: stand in front of a plain white or light wall, ask someone else to take the photo, face even light (a window works well), and turn off filters and beauty mode.
JPG, PNG or WebP, up to 40 megapixels
This free tool only crops and resizes. It does not change the background or the lighting, and it cannot guarantee that your photo will be accepted.
Many governments, including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Korea, Taiwan and China for passports, reject photos whose background has been digitally removed or replaced. For those, take the photo against a plain white or light wall and use the free No-edit crop.
Need a plain background for a CV, a form or a studio-size print? The AI tool swaps it in for 10 credits (≈ US$0.40 on the Starter plan). It does not fix lighting or shadows.
32–36 mm (top of the hair; 71–80% of the photo height)
Background
white, light grey, or light blue
4 × 6 in print sheet
8 photos per sheet
Source
Regulation (EC) No 2252/2004; ICAO Doc 9303
Last checked
EU passports, ID cards and Schengen visa applications follow EU Regulation 2252/2004 and the ICAO standard: 35 × 45 mm with the face filling 70–80% of the height.
Photo check
Do this, avoid that
DoSoft window light, plain wall
AvoidHarsh overhead light, busy background
DoNeutral expression, eyes open, hair off the face
AvoidBig smile, tilted head, sunglasses
What the EU biometric and Schengen visa photo needs
A EU biometric and Schengen visa photo is 35 × 45 mm, which is 1.38 × 1.77 in. The editor exports it at 413 × 531 px, enough for a sharp print at 300 dpi.
The rule measures the head from the chin to the top of the hair: it must be 32–36 mm, which is 71–80% of the photo height. The editor draws this band on the frame so you can place the chin inside it.
Accepted backgrounds: white, light grey, or light blue. Use one plain colour with no shadows or patterns; the editor starts with white.
On a 4 × 6 in (10 × 15 cm) sheet, 8 photos fit with cut lines. Print it at 100% scale, not “fit to page”, and cut along the lines.
The same 35 × 45 mm size is also used for: UK passport photo, German biometric photo, French passport and ID card photo, Italian passport photo, Canadian visa photo, Australian passport photo, Indian passport photo, Japanese passport photo, Korean passport photo, Taiwan passport photo, and 35 × 45 mm photo. The head size or background can still differ, so choose the exact document.
Check the latest rules
These measurements were last checked on 2026-10-14 against the source above. Photo rules change and offices can be strict, so check your government's or embassy's current requirements before you print or submit. We cannot guarantee that a photo will be accepted.
FAQ
Questions about the EU biometric and Schengen visa photo
What size is a EU biometric and Schengen visa photo?
35 × 45 mm, which is 1.38 × 1.77 in. As a digital file it is 413 × 531 px.
How big should the head be in a EU biometric and Schengen visa photo?
32–36 mm from the chin to the top of the hair, which is 71–80% of the photo height.
What background colour does a EU biometric and Schengen visa photo need?
Accepted backgrounds: white, light grey, or light blue. Use one plain colour with no shadows or patterns; the editor starts with white.
Can I print a EU biometric and Schengen visa photo at home or at a photo shop?
Yes. Download the 4 × 6 in sheet with 8 photos, print it at 100% scale on photo paper at home or at any photo lab, then cut along the lines.
Will my EU biometric and Schengen visa photo be accepted?
We cannot promise that. The editor helps you match the size and head height, but offices also check the background, lighting, expression, glasses and how recent the photo is. Check your government's latest rules before you submit.
How do I make a EU biometric and Schengen visa photo with Methodhelm?
Take a front-facing photo against a plain white or light wall, then open the free crop on this page. Choose your photo, line your face up with the 35 × 45 mm guides and download the photo or a print sheet. It runs on your device and keeps your original photo as it is.
Crop your EU biometric and Schengen visa photo for free
Take the photo against a plain white or light wall, then crop it to 35 × 45 mm with the free tool on this page. It keeps your original photo, runs on your device and costs nothing.
