A perfect visa photo is essential for a successful Spain (Schengen) visa application. If your photo doesn’t meet the official requirements, it could lead to delays, or even rejection of your application.
To streamline your application process, we recommend utilizing the VisaFast Spain Visa Photo Maker. This tool automatically optimizes your photograph’s dimensions, background, and format, conforming to the stipulated Spain (Schengen) visa criteria. This will reduce the time, effort, and potential complications associated with your application.
To ensure compliance, the definitive requirements for your Spain visa photograph are detailed below.
Spain Visa Passport Photo Specifications
The following specifications outline the requirements for passport photos when applying for a Spanish visa:
- Dimensions: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm (1.38 inches x 1.77 inches)
- File Size Restriction: The image file should generally be under 120 KB.
- Colour Requirements: Color photographs are mandatory.
- Background Requirement: The photo must have a plain, white, or light-colored background.
- Facial Presentation: The photograph must present a full frontal view of the face with eyes fully open and clearly visible.
- Head Coverage Ratio: Approximately 70-80% of the photo should be occupied by the head.
- Photo Recency: The photograph must have been taken within the last 6 months period.
- Image Quality Standards: The photograph must feature high resolution, clarity, sharpness, and adequate lighting.
- Head Coverings: Head coverings are prohibited, except in cases dictated by religious or cultural practices.
- Expression: A neutral facial expression must be displayed – No smiling, frowning, or the display of teeth are permitted.
Note: The VisaFast visa photo tool automatically ensures compliance with all the above specifications, facilitating a streamlined application submission process. VisaFast specifically caters to photographic needs for minors, guaranteeing a precisely prepared photo for submission purposes.
Additional clarity regarding each photographic requirement for the Spanish visa passport photo:
Spain Visa Photo Size:
The Spain visa photo size must measure 35mm in width and 45mm in height (1.38 x 1.77 inches, 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm in cms). Width of face shall be between 16 mm and 20 mm from ear to ear.
To ensure accurate facial recognition and verification, the face, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the crown (not top of the hair), as well as left and right sides of the face should occupy 70% to 80% of the total photograph.
Note: Photos will be rejected if face measures less than 27 mm or more than 40 mm.

Head and Facial Composition:
The recommended photo should feature your head comprising roughly 70-80% of the overall image dimensions. Specifically, the distance from your chin to the top of your head should be approximately 32-36mm. The photograph should be precisely centered, and your eyes must be horizontally aligned, situated approximately 60-70% from the lower edge of the image. This alignment is necessary to ensure successful biometric scanning for verification purposes.

Resolution
Photo resolution should be 400 dpi, so, when the image is scanned or uploaded, check this parameter carefully. However, the higher the resolution, the bigger the picture. The photo must be in sharp focus, clear, undamaged and of high quality with no ink marks or creases
Technical Requirements for Spain Visa Applications
During online Spain visa applications, supporting documents, including passport-style photographs, must adhere to specific technical criteria. Digital photos submitted for applications must be in JPG or JPEG format and have a maximum file size of 120 KB.
Applications will be rejected if files are submitted in formats other than JPG or JPEG, including formats such as BMP, TIFF, GIF, or PDF. Photographs must be submitted in either black and white or color.
Photograph Requirements
To ensure your application is properly processed, the submitted photograph must meet specific criteria. The photograph should be printed on archival-quality paper utilizing a minimum resolution of 600 DPI. Color reproduction must display accurate color balance – achieving appropriate brightness and contrast, resulting in natural skin tone representation.
The photograph is to portray solely the applicant, without any additional individuals or objects present.
Important Note: For digital camera photographs, it is essential to ensure high quality image resolution during capture and subsequent printing on suitable photo-quality paper.
Photograph Specifications
The photograph background must be solid and light in color to adequately capture facial details and ensure sufficient contrast against the background.
For applicants with light hair, a medium grey background is recommended. Conversely, for individuals with dark hair, a light grey background is appropriate. The background should be free from any patterns or shadows. The Spain visa photograph must adhere strictly to borderless specifications, with no additional margins, to meet official formatting guidelines and facilitate successful biometric processing.
Recent Photo:
To ensure accuracy and proper identification, your photograph must have been taken no earlier than six months prior to application. Any significant alterations to your appearance, including but not limited to substantial changes in hairstyle or facial hair, may necessitate the submission of a new photograph. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in processing delays or identification-related complications.
Style and Lighting
Photographs must be taken with even lighting. Shadows, reflections and red-eye are not acceptable. The eyes in the photograph should be open and clearly visible. No hair across the face or eyes. Eyes must be in the upper half of the photograph (minimum distance between the center of the two eyes: 8mm)
Expressions and Frame
You should show your face square on to the camera, no portrait style (not looking over ones shoulder) or tilted and showing both edges of face clearly. The facial expression must be neutral, mouth closed and looking directly at the camera.
Glasses:
Individuals requiring eyeglasses for medical purposes must present with clear vision, free of reflections or tinted lenses. Lenses should not produce glare, obstruct vision, or compromise biometric accuracy. Any reflection or obstruction resulting from eyeglasses or lenses is strictly prohibited, as it may negatively impact biometric data capture.
Head Coverings
Head coverings are permitted solely for recognized religious observances or legitimate medical needs. Such coverings must consist of simple, unpatterned materials and must not impede the clear visibility of the face. The entire facial area, extending from the base of the chin to the upper brow, must remain unobstructed, and no facial shadows are permitted.
Spain Visa Photograph Specifications for Minors
When applying for a visa for a child, specifically infants and young children, adherence to Spain’s visa photograph specifications is essential. The following guidelines must be strictly followed:
For applicants under the age of nine (9), the child’s face should occupy 50% to 80% of the total image.
The measurement from the bottom of the chin to the crown of the head (excluding any hair) must fall within the range of 22 millimeters (mm) to 36mm.
Children under the age of five (5) years do not require a neutral expression, direct eye contact with the camera, or centered head positioning in the image. Furthermore, photographic images of children under one year of age do not necessitate open eyes.
The photograph must encompass the subject child, excluding visible accessories such as hands, toys, chairs, or individuals other than the child.
It’s imperative that the child’s facial features are clear and exhibits direct and forward-facing gaze.
Important Note: If the child requires supporting assistance, such as through clothing or physical support, this element must be absent from the photographic image. Concealment of the supporting assistance via appropriate childcare provisions ensures photographic compliance.
Utilizing the Spain Visa Photo Generator
Seeking a Spanish visa? Ensure your photograph adheres to all official specifications with this straightforward and dependable tool:
- Upload Your Photograph
Select an image from your device – formats should be JPEG, JPG, or PNG. Alternatively, you can capture a new photograph directly using your device.
- Modify and Resize
Activate the ‘Transform’ feature to allow the tool to automatically adjust and align your photograph according to the official Spain visa image specifications.
- Download and Integrate
Upon completion, download the compliant version of your photograph, and integrate it with your Spanish visa application. This method offers speed, simplicity, and accuracy.
Important Information: You may also pursue your Spanish visa via the VisaFast platform, using a streamlined process involving several readily achievable steps.
Do’s & Don’ts of Spain Visa Photo
To avoid delays or rejection of your Spain (Schengen) visa application, make sure your photo follows the official guidelines. Here’s a helpful list of what to do, and what to avoid:
Do’s:
Use even, natural lighting with no shadows, glare, or reflections.
Ensure the photo is recent (taken within the last 6 months).
Maintain a neutral facial expression with your eyes open and mouth closed.
Make sure the photo is sharp, clear, and in focus for accurate identification.
Keep your hair away from your face so all facial features are visible, including the edges.
Use a plain white or light-colored background that contrasts well with your face.
Head coverings for religious or medical reasons are allowed, but they must be plain and must not obscure any facial features.
Don’ts:
Do not use blurry, low-resolution, damaged, or creased photos.
Do not let hair cover your eyes, forehead, or cheeks.
Avoid photos with red-eye, or those that have been digitally edited or filtered.
Do not allow shadows on your face or in the background.
Avoid smiling, frowning, or showing teeth. Keep a calm, neutral expression.
What is the official photo size for a Spain visa?
The required dimensions for a Spain visa photograph are 35mm by 45mm (width by height). The image must include your entire face, with the portion from your chin to the top of your head occupying 70–80% of the photograph, approximately 32–36mm. This adheres to the standard Spain Schengen visa photo requirements.
Can I take my Spain visa photo at home?
Yes, it is possible to obtain your Spain visa photograph at home, provided it adheres strictly to established guidelines. The photo must feature a consistent, solid white or light background, sufficient lighting to ensure visibility, and must meet specified size requirements. Digital enhancements or alterations are not permitted. Devices such as the VisaFast Spain Visa Photo Maker are available to assist applicants in verifying compliance with these photographic standards as part of the overall visa application process.
How recent should my Spain visa photo be?
Your Spain visa photograph must have been taken no more than 6 months prior to submission. The photograph must accurately represent your current appearance, requiring a neutral facial expression and ensuring both eyes are fully visible.
What background is required for a Spain visa photo?
To comply with Spain visa biometric requirements, the photographic background should be a plain, light-colored surface. Specifically, the background should be white or a light shade, without any patterns, reflective elements, shadows, or images. This ensures adherence to standard documentation practices and optimizes the visa application processing.