EU / Schengen Passport Photo — 35×45mm Biometric Compliant
Get a biometric passport photo (35×45mm) accepted across all 27 EU member states and 4 additional Schengen area countries — including Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Sweden, Portugal, Austria and more. ICAO compliant, plain white or light grey background, AI compliance checks.
Photo requirements
- Size: 35×45mm — ICAO biometric standard, used across all EU and Schengen countries
- Background: Plain white or light grey — no shadows, patterns or colour
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open looking straight at camera
- Glasses: Not recommended — most EU countries now follow ICAO guidance against glasses
- Standard: ICAO Doc 9303 biometric compliant — accepted for passports, national IDs and Schengen visas across the EU
Why Smart Passport Photo
- ✅ Free preview before you pay — see the result first
- ✅ One photo format accepted across all 27 EU member states plus Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein
- ✅ AI compliance checks for head size, background, lighting and expression
- ✅ Free retake or refund if the issuing authority rejects the photo
- ✅ Also accepted for Schengen visa applications from non-EU nationals
- ✅ €4.49 one-off, no subscription
- ✅ Photo deleted from our servers within 24 hours
Free to preview · Pay once · No subscription
Photos deleted within 24 hours · UK servers (AWS eu-west-2) · Never used for AI training · Rated on Trustpilot
How it works
- 1. Stand in front of a plain white or light grey wall with even lighting — ideally natural daylight facing you. Use your phone's rear camera at eye level. Neutral expression, look straight at the camera.
- 2. Upload your photo. Our AI removes the background, crops precisely to 35×45mm and runs compliance checks for head size, position, expression and lighting.
- 3. Review the free preview. Retake for free if anything needs adjusting.
- 4. Download and use for your passport application at any EU member state authority, or for a Schengen visa application at an embassy or visa application centre.
Official resources
For the official specification, see European Commission — travel documents. Smart Passport Photo is an independent service and is not affiliated with any government body.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a single EU passport photo standard?
Yes — all EU member states and Schengen area countries follow the ICAO Doc 9303 biometric portrait standard, which specifies a 35×45mm photo with a plain white or light grey background, head centred and occupying 70–80% of the frame height, neutral expression with both eyes open, and no glasses. This means a photo that passes ICAO biometric checks is accepted for passport applications in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands and all other EU member states.
Can I use an EU passport photo for a Schengen visa application?
Yes — Schengen visa applications (for non-EU nationals visiting the Schengen area) also use the 35×45mm ICAO biometric format. The same photo that would work for an EU passport application is accepted for Schengen visa applications at EU embassies and consulates.
Are there country-specific differences within the EU?
The 35×45mm ICAO standard is universal, but some EU countries have minor additional preferences — for example, Germany prefers a slightly different head-to-frame ratio, and some countries have more specific background shade requirements. Our AI compliance check uses the broadest ICAO criteria, and our photos pass in all 27 EU member states in the overwhelming majority of cases.
Does this work for a German, French or Spanish passport application?
Yes — Germany (Reisepass), France (Passeport), Spain (Pasaporte) and all other EU member states use the 35×45mm ICAO biometric format. Download your photo and bring printed copies to your local passport office or embassy appointment.
Can I get a national ID photo from this too?
Yes — EU national identity cards (German Personalausweis, French Carte nationale d'identité, Italian Carta d'identità, etc.) all use the same 35×45mm ICAO biometric format. The same photo file works for both passport and national ID applications in all EU member states.