The Schengen region is well-known for countries like Portugal, Denmark, France and Finland etc. Since these countries welcome huge numbers of tourists every year, their visa and passport processes are a bit stringent and require professional photos for identification. So if you plan on visiting Schengen countries, here is what you need to consider.

Schengen Visa Photo Requirements

The first bit of information you need to know when it comes to applying for a visa to Schengen countries is that you must provide two identical photos. This is one of the basic requirements and should follow a specific size, format and type. You should attach both the photos via a paperclip and do not use a stapler or glue, which might interfere with the identification process.

Next, the photos must be 3.5 x 4.5 cm in size and should not be older than 6 months. If you have the resources, it is preferred to capture a fresh picture for easier identification. Position yourself infront of white background and there should be no items, individuals or objects in the background that might cause distraction.

Do not wear any accessories and jewelry. Your face should be without any wakeup, expressions and the photo should only include the area from your head uptil your shoulders. 

You should not be wearing a uniform or a dress that matches the color of the background. Also, if you are bound to wear something due to religious reasons, your facial features must be visible from the chin to the eyes.

Schengen Children Visa Photo Requirements

When it comes to Schengen photos and visas for children, there isn’t a uniform standard. The rules are slightly relaxed since it could be relatively difficult for the parents to make their children look into the camera.

For this reason, children under 6 months old can be photographed either lying down or sitting on a chair. The baby does not necessarily need to have their eyes opened in the photo. Also, since babies mostly tend to keep their mouths open, Schengen visa photo requirements have no problem with that.

On the other hand, children under the age of 5 are not required to look straight into the camera. They should not be holding any toys, items or objects and their eyes should be clearly visible. And on top of that, they do not need to have neutral facial expressions, which means they can be smiling or laughing a bit.

Final Word

Schengen visa photo requirements are not too strict. If you plan on snapping a photo on your own, simply follow the prerequisites mentioned and you should be fine.