Everything you need to know about Spain Schengen visa photo requirements, including exact dimensions (35x45 mm), white background, ICAO biometric standards, and how to take a compliant photo for tourist, business, student, and work visa applications.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain (España) |
| Document Type | Visa / Schengen Visa (Visado Schengen) |
| Photo Size | 35 x 45 mm |
| Head Size | 70-80% of photo (approx. 30-36 mm from chin to crown) |
| Background Color | Plain white or light grey |
| Printable | Yes — on matte or glossy photo-quality paper |
| Digital for Online Submission | Yes (some embassies accept digital) |
| Color | Color only (black and white not accepted) |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Expression | Neutral with mouth closed |
| Number of Photos | 2 (varies by embassy) |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Spain issues Schengen visas that follow standardized photo requirements set across all Schengen Area countries. The photo must comply with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) biometric standards. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted for tourist, business, student, and work visa applications.
The Schengen visa photo format is standardized across all 29 Schengen Area member states. This means the same photo can be used for a Spain visa application as well as for any other Schengen country's visa. The key requirements are:
Some Spanish embassies and consulates accept digital photos for online visa applications. If submitting digitally:
Glasses are NOT allowed in Spain Schengen visa photos. You must remove all eyewear, including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. This is an ICAO biometric requirement enforced across all Schengen countries.
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Spain Schengen visa photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking a visa-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and white tops that blend with the background. If you wear religious head coverings daily, you may keep them on as long as your full face is visible.
Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes or cast shadows on your face.
Stand about 1.5 meters (5 feet) in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is visible.
Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. Do not smile or show teeth. Remove your glasses before taking the photo.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable visa photos
A Spain Schengen visa photo must be exactly 35x45 mm. This is the standard Schengen visa photo size used across all Schengen Area countries. The face must occupy 70-80% of the photo, with the head measuring approximately 30-36 mm from chin to crown.
Yes. Spain issues Schengen visas, and the photo requirements follow the standard Schengen photo format: 35x45 mm, white or light grey background, biometric ICAO compliant. The same photo can be used for any Schengen visa application across all member states.
No. Glasses are not allowed in Spain Schengen visa photos. You must remove all eyewear, including prescription glasses and sunglasses, before taking the photo. This is an ICAO biometric requirement enforced across all Schengen countries.
No. You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed. Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera. No smiling, frowning, or exaggerated expressions are permitted.
Yes! You can take your visa photo with any smartphone. Simply upload it to PassportPhoto.help and our AI will automatically crop, resize, remove the background, and ensure it meets all official Spain Schengen visa photo requirements.
The background must be plain white or light grey. No patterns, objects, shadows, or other people should be visible. If you don't have a white wall, don't worry — our tool will automatically replace your background with white.
You typically need 2 identical recent photos for a Spain Schengen visa application. However, the exact number may vary by embassy or consulate, so check with the specific location where you are applying.
The main difference is the size. A Spain visa (Schengen) photo is 35x45 mm, while a Spain passport photo is 30x40 mm. Both require a white background, neutral expression, and no glasses, but the dimensions differ. Make sure you use the correct size for your specific application.
