What Does 35x45mm Actually Mean?
The physical size of 35x45mm refers to the outer edges of the printed photo -- not the face area. The total rectangle must be 35mm wide by 45mm tall. This translates to exactly 413x531 pixels at 300 DPI.
35mm = 413 pixels (at 300 DPI) 45mm = 531 pixels (at 300 DPI)
This is different from the US format (51x51mm square) and the Canadian format (35x45mm, same physical size but different head height rules).
The Head Height Rule: 32-36mm
The face (from chin to crown) must occupy between 32mm and 36mm of the 45mm frame height. That's a range of only 4mm -- which is why precision matters.
SnapshotAI targets 34mm -- the exact center of the allowed range. This gives your photo maximum clearance from both the minimum (32mm) and maximum (36mm) boundaries.
34mm ÷ 45mm = 75% head ratio
Why "No Teeth Visible" Is Non-Negotiable
The Schengen biometric photo specification requires a "strictly neutral expression." This means:
- Mouth must be firmly closed
- No teeth visible under any circumstances
- No attempt at a smile, even a subtle one
- Jaw line should be relaxed, not clenched
This rule exists because facial recognition software used at Schengen border crossings is trained on neutral-expression photos. Any deviation -- including a subtle smile -- can reduce the match confidence score and trigger additional screening.
Background Requirements: Pure White, No Exceptions
The Schengen requirement is unambiguous: pure white background. This means:
- No shadows (especially under the chin and on the sides)
- No gray tint (even a very light gray counts as a failure)
- No patterns, textures, or gradients
- No objects in the background
SnapshotAI's Schengen 35x45mm Generator
When you select "Schengen Visa (Europe)" in SnapshotAI, the AI:
- Validates your uploaded selfie meets minimum resolution
- Removes background to pure white (#FFFFFF), shadow-free
- Frames your face at exactly 34mm (75% ratio)
- Outputs at 413x531px, 300 DPI
- Compresses to under 500KB JPEG
- Validates all specifications before presenting for download
Schengen vs Canada: Same Size, Different Rules
| Feature | Schengen | Canada (IRCC) |
|---|---|---|
| Physical size | 35x45mm | 35x45mm |
| Pixel size | 413x531px @ 300 DPI | 413x531px @ 300 DPI |
| Head height | 32-36mm | 31-36mm |
| Safe target | 34mm (75%) | 33.5mm (74%) |
| Background | Pure white | Pure white |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Neutral, mouth closed |
Countries That Use 35x45mm Format
The Schengen Area (26 countries): Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
Plus: Switzerland has the same format, as do many non-Schengen countries for their national visa applications.