Schengen Visa Photo Requirements India: Size & VFS Guide (2026)

Schengen Visa Photo Requirements for Indian Applicants

Planning to visit Europe? Whether it's France, Germany, Italy, Spain, or any of the 27 Schengen countries, you need the same photo format. Here's exactly what you need — and the critical difference from Indian documents.

Size Matters

Schengen visa photos are 35x45mm (rectangular). Indian passport photos are 51x51mm (square). This is the most common rejection reason for Indian applicants.

Size	35x45mm (rectangular, NOT square)
Background	Plain white or light grey
Glasses	Not permitted
Head coverage	70-80% of photo height
Same for all	All 27 Schengen countries

Same Photo for All Schengen Countries

The 35x45mm photo requirement applies to all Schengen member states: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Photo Size Comparison

Schengen Visa	35x45mm — Rectangular
UK Visa	35x45mm — Rectangular (same!)
Indian Passport	51x51mm — Square (incompatible)
US Visa	51x51mm — Square (incompatible)

Good news

If you have a recent UK visa photo, you can reuse it for Schengen — they’re the same size. Both are 35x45mm.

Detailed Schengen Photo Requirements

Size: 35x45mm (rectangular) — Taller than wide, different from Indian passport photos
Face coverage: 70-80% of photo height — Head (from chin to crown) must measure 32-36mm
Background: Plain white or light grey — No patterns, shadows, or other people
No glasses — Even clear prescription lenses must be removed
Neutral expression, looking at camera — Mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible
Recent (within 6 months) — Must reflect your current appearance

Where to Apply in India

Schengen visa applications are processed through VFS Global (for France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, and more) and BLS International (for Italy, Spain, and some other countries). Both accept the same 35x45mm photo format.

Where to Get Schengen Visa Photos in India

VFS Global / BLS International: Available at your biometric appointment (35x45mm guaranteed)
Local photo studios: Specify “Schengen visa 35x45mm” — many default to Indian passport size
Online tools: Upload a selfie, get formatted 35x45mm photo

Tip

UK and Schengen visas use the same 35x45mm format. If you have a recent UK visa photo (within 6 months), you can reuse it for Schengen.

Sources: European Commission: Visa Policy, VFS Global

Frequently Asked Questions

What size photo do I need for Schengen visa from India?

Schengen visa photos must be 35x45mm — a rectangular format, different from Indian passport photos (51x51mm square). This size is standardized across all 27 Schengen countries.

Are Schengen visa photo requirements the same for all countries?

Yes. Whether you're applying for a visa to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, or any other Schengen country, the photo requirements are identical: 35x45mm, white background, no glasses.

Can I use my Indian passport photo for Schengen visa?

No. Indian passport photos are 51x51mm (square), while Schengen visas require 35x45mm (rectangular). You need a separate photo taken to Schengen specifications.

Can I wear glasses in my Schengen visa photo?

No. Glasses are not permitted in Schengen visa photos. Remove all eyewear before taking your photo, including prescription glasses.

Where can I get Schengen visa photos in India?

VFS Global or BLS International centres (₹250-350), local studios (₹80-200) if they know the 35x45mm spec, or online tools like ours ($1/~₹83). Always specify 'Schengen 35x45mm' at local studios.

Is Schengen visa photo the same as UK visa photo?

Yes! Both are 35x45mm with similar requirements. If you have a recent UK visa photo (within 6 months), you can use it for your Schengen application.