A perfect visa photo is essential for a successful Portugal (Schengen) visa application. If your photo doesn’t meet the official requirements, it could result in delays or even rejection of your application.
To make things easier, we’ve created the Atlys Portugal Visa Photo Maker. This tool automatically adjusts your photo’s size, background, and format to match the official Portugal (Schengen) visa guidelines, saving you time, stress, and effort.
To help you get started, we’ve outlined the official photo specifications below.
How to use the Portugal visa photo maker tool?
Applying for a Portugal visa? Ensure your photo meets all official requirements with this easy-to-use and efficient tool:
Upload Your Photo:
Choose a photo from your device (JPEG, JPG, or PNG). You can also take a new selfie if needed.Adjust & Resize:
Click ‘Transform’ and let the tool automatically resize, crop, and adjust your photo according to Portugal’s official visa photo guidelines.Download & Use:
Once your photo is ready, download the visa-compliant version and include it with your visa application. It’s that simple!
Note: You can also apply for your Portugal visa through Atlys in just a few easy steps.
Portugal Visa Photo Requirements
Here are the official photo specifications for a Portuguese visa:
Size: 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm (1.38 inches x 1.77 inches)
File Size: Typically under 120 KB
Colour: Colored photos are required
Background: Plain white or light-colored background
Face Position: Full face, front view, eyes open, and clearly visible
Head Coverage: The Head should take up about 70–80% of the photo
Recent Photo: Taken within the last 6 months
Photo Quality: High resolution, clear, sharp, and well-lit
Head Coverings: Not allowed, except for religious or cultural reasons
Expression: Neutral expression—no smiling, frowning, or showing teeth
Note: Atlys visa photo tool takes care of all the above specifications automatically to make your application process smooth. Atlys ensures your photo is perfect for submission, even for minors.
Here’s a more detailed explanation for each requirement related to the passport photo for the Portugal visa:
Portugal Visa Photo Size:
Your Portuguese visa photo must be 35mm wide and 45mm high. Your face, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, should occupy about 70–80% of the photo, roughly 32–36mm in height. This ensures that your facial features are clearly visible, making it easier for authorities to verify your identity and process your application accurately.
Portugal Visa Photo File Size & Format:
Your photo must be in JPG, JPEG, or PNG format for digital submissions. While there’s no universal file size limit, it should be high resolution and optimised for clarity without being excessively large, based on specific embassy or consulate requirements.
Portugal Visa Photo Background:
The background must be plain white or light-colored, with no patterns, shadows, or objects. A clean and uniform background helps ensure your face is clearly visible and easily identifiable.
Face Size & Positioning:
Your face should occupy approximately 70–80% of the photo, or about 32–36mm from the chin to the crown. Your head must be centred in the frame, and your eyes should be positioned on a horizontal line around 60–70% up from the bottom of the photo.
No Borders Allowed:
Photos must not have any borders, frames, or visible margins. A borderless photo ensures it meets the official Schengen and Portugal visa photo standards.
Recent Photo Required:
The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and accurately represent your appearance. This helps avoid identity verification issues during the visa process.
Photo Quality & Clarity:
Your photo must be high resolution, sharp, well-lit, and clear. Avoid blurry, grainy, underexposed, or overexposed images. Low-quality photos may result in delays or rejections.
Orientation & Head Position:
You must face the camera directly, with your head straight and centred. Your facial expression should be neutral, with your mouth closed - no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows.
Headgear Guidelines:
Head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons. They must be plain and should not cast shadows or obscure any facial features, including the forehead, cheeks, chin, or eyes.
Portugal Visa Photo Requirements for Minors
When submitting a visa photo for a child, especially infants and toddlers, there are a few specific guidelines to follow:
Infants under one year old are not required to have their eyes open in the photo.
A clear, front-facing photo of the child is required, with their head centred and visible.
The child must be alone in the photo, with a neutral expression and mouth closed.
No toys, pacifiers, or other people should be visible in the image.
The photo must be of high quality, with good lighting, sharp focus, and no shadows or reflections.
These rules help ensure that the photo meets Portugal’s visa requirements and can be used for accurate identification.
Do’s & Don’ts of Portugal Visa Photo
Do’s:
Use even, natural lighting with no shadows, reflections, or glare.
Make sure the photo is recent (taken within the last 6 months).
Maintain a neutral expression with your eyes open and mouth closed.
Ensure the photo is sharp, clear, and in focus for proper identification.
Keep your hair away from your face so that all facial features, including the edges of your face, are clearly visible.
Use a plain white or light-colored background that provides good contrast 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 damaged, blurry, low-resolution, or creased photos.
Do not allow hair to cover your eyes, forehead, or cheeks.
Do not submit photos with red-eye or those that have been digitally edited or filtered.
Avoid any shadows on your face or in the background.
Do not smile, frown, or show teeth. Keep a calm, neutral expression.
Following these do’s and don’ts will help ensure your Portugal visa photo meets all official requirements and avoids processing delays.
What is the photo size for a Portugal visa?
For all types of Portugal visas, including Schengen short-stay visas, the required photo size is:
35 mm x 45 mm (width x height).
This is the standard Schengen visa photo size accepted by the Portuguese consulate and embassy.
How recent should the Portugal visa photo be?
Your visa photo must be taken within the last 6 months. It should clearly reflect your current facial features and appearance.
Should my full face be visible in the visa photo?
Yes, absolutely. The photo must show your:
Full face, frontal view
Head-centred, facing the camera
The face should cover 70–80% of the photo height
What are the quality requirements for Portugal visa photos?
High resolution (no blurring or pixelation)
Printed on photo-quality paper (glossy or matte)
Natural colors and lighting
No digital edits or filters
These ensure your photo meets the Portugal visa photo format standards.
How we reviewed this tool:
Our experts continually monitor the official sources for any changes, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
- Current Version
16 Apr 2025
Written By:
Riyanka Roy
Edited By:
Riyanka Roy
16 Apr 2025
Written By:
Riyanka Roy
Edited By:
Riyanka Roy