What size should a Schengen Head Size photo be?

A Schengen Head Size photo should be 450×567 pixels (35×45 mm) at 300 DPI — a portrait (taller than wide) format on a light grey background.

What is the maximum file size for a Schengen Head Size photo?

The file should be at or under 200 KB. Resize to 450×567 pixels first, then compress to meet the limit — compressing a large image first causes the blocky artifacts that trigger a quality rejection.

How much of the photo should my head fill for a Schengen Head Size?

Your head should take up roughly 50–70% of the total image height. A head that is too small or too large is one of the most common rejection reasons.

Can I take a Schengen Head Size photo at home with my phone?

Yes. Use soft, even lighting with no shadows, stand in front of a light grey background, keep a neutral expression with both eyes open and mouth closed, and face the camera squarely. Check the result against the Schengen Head Size requirements before submitting, since upload portals enforce size and file limits automatically.

Schengen Visa

Schengen Visa Photo Head Size Checker

Check whether your Schengen visa photo head size and eye line fit the 35x45mm biometric format before you submit.

Last updated Apr 27, 2026

Verified against the official source · May 11, 2026

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Real Schengen Head Size Rejection Data

33.3% of Schengen Head Size photos were rejected on first submission, based on 114 checks run through VisaPhotoCheck.

Most common reasons a rejected photo failed

Crop or framing42%
Accessories (glasses, hats, headphones)29%
Resolution11%
sharpness11%
File size or format8%
Lighting or shadows8%
Head pose or angle5%
Expression3%

Each figure is the share of rejected Schengen Head Size photos that failed that specific check. A single rejection often fails more than one check, so these do not add up to 100%.

Based on VisaPhotoCheck's own Schengen Head Size submissions — this reflects our users, not an official or industry-wide rejection rate.

Schengen Visa Photo Head Size Checker

Head Size Is the Hardest Schengen Detail

Photo Examples

Real Schengen Head Size Rejection Data

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