Spain Visa Photo Requirements for Indians 2026

From the vibrant streets of Madrid to the breathtaking coastlines of Costa del Sol, Spain offers endless allure for travelers. However, even with a seemingly straightforward visa process, your application could be rejected due to a simple mistake with your visa photo.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Spain visa photo requirements for Indians and how to avoid common pitfalls.

Spain Visa Photo Requirements

Visa Type	Photo Form	Quantity	Format	File Space
Tourist	Electronic	1 photo	JPEG / JPG	Minimum 10 KB, & Maximum 1 MB
Tourist	Physical	2 photos	N/A	N/A

Spain Visa Photo Size, Age & Background

When applying for a Spain visa, use a correctly formatted photo to avoid delays or rejections. Here is the breakdown of the photo size and requirements

• The Spain visa passport photo size should be 35 mm x 45 mm.
• In centimeters, the photo size for Spain visa is 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm long.
• The visa photo size in inches is 1.38” x 1.77”.
• The digital photo size should be between 50 kb and 1 MB.
• The preferred digital photo type is JPG/JPEG only. Other formats are not allowed.
• Photo Age: The photo should be taken within the last 6 months from the date of application.
• Print Photo Resolution should be a minimum of 600 dpi.
• Photo Color: All the photos used for visas, whether digital or physical, should be taken in color with a white background.
• Printed Photos: When printing physical copies of the photo, make sure it is devoid of any damage and printed on high-quality matte-paper.
• Background requirements: The photo background should be plain white. Avoid any patterns, borders, shadows, and objects in the background.
• Photo lighting effect: Natural lighting without any filters is highly recommended. Uniform lighting is preferred for the face and ensures that facial features are not altered because of the lighting.

Facial Appearance

The entire face must be clearly visible according to Spain visa photo quality standards of Indians. No part of the face should be obscured by hair, headgear, or shadows.

• The face height in the photo should be between 32mm and 36 mm. The distance is measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, including the hair.
• The face should not be too large or too small in the photo. The face should cover 70- 80% of the photo frame.

Head Orientation and Alignment

• Your head should be held straight, centrally aligned and looking straight at the camera. Avoid tilting your face, raising your shoulders or leaning backwards, forward or sideways.
• Both eyes should be level with the camera. A tilted or angled head in the photo will result in rejection.

Facial Expression

Facial expressions play an important role in visa acceptance. Here are the guidelines when taking your tourist visa passport size photo for Spain:

• Keep a neutral facial expression for the visa photo.
• Avoid any strong facial expressions such as smiling and frowning, as it can alter the natural look.
• Mouth should remain relaxed and closed.

Suggested Read: How To Check Spain Visa Status In India

Spain Visa Photo Attire & Accessories

Neutral expressions, appropriate attire, and strict guidelines for face visibility are required for a Spain visa photo. Detailed specifications for accessories and attire, specifically for Indian applicants, are provided here:

Attire

• Wear normal clothes for the visa photo.
• Avoid overly formal outfits or extremely casual attires with logos or patterns.
• Choose solid colors that are not a distraction to your face.
• Uniforms of any kind are not permitted for visa photos.
• Use minimal jewelry that doesn’t obscure your face or draw attention away from the face.

Accessories

Spain visa photo guidelines allow the use of accessories in your visa photo, but there are limitations. Wearing accessories that alter or enhance facial features is not permitted. It may lead to difficulties in biometric recognition and thus, a visa rejection:

Eyewear/ Spectacles

Sunglasses, tinted glasses and thick-rimmed glasses are not allowed in the visa photo. Unless it is medically prescribed, avoid wearing any type of eyewear.

Health-related Accessories

Health-related accessories, such as hearing aids, are allowed when taking your Spain visa photo as long as they do not hide parts of the face. Temporary medical items like bandages or patches on the face should be avoided as they may lead to visa rejection.

Jewelry

Small, understated jewelry, such as stud earrings or small necklaces, is allowed in the Spain visa photo. Large earrings or bulky necklaces that cast shadows on the face should be avoided. Facial jewelry is strictly prohibited. Also, avoid any jewelry that may reflect light.

Headwear

Only religious headgear is allowed according to the tourist passport-size photo guidelines for Spain. The headgear must leave the entire face, from the chin to the forehead, visible.

Makeup Guidelines for Spain Visa Applications

Minimal makeup is allowed as per the Spain visa photo quality standards for Indians:

• Avoid heavy makeup.
• Fake eyelashes are prohibited.
• Avoid large ear drops.
• Wigs and hair color are permissible as long as it doesn’t alter your natural features.

Suggested Read: Spain Visa Extension for Indian

Spain Visa Photo Requirements for Children under One Year of Age

Infants and babies should preferably have a neutral expression, but it is not strictly enforced. Their mouths may also be slightly open.

Spain Visa Photo Requirements for Children Under 10 Years of Age

According to the Spain visa photo requirement guidelines, visa photos of children between 1 year to 10 years of age need to follow the same specifications as adults.

Reasons for Spain Visa Photo Rejections

If you don’t follow the Spain visa photo specifications for Indians, then there is a high chance of visa rejection. The common reasons for Spain visa photo rejections are:

1. If the proportions of your face and the background do not meet the official requirements, your visa photo may be rejected.
2. Photos with shadows, glare, or reflections that obscure facial features will not be accepted.
3. If your head is tilted or angled to the side, the photo will be rejected.
4. Using accessories that block facial features can result in visa rejection. Your full face must be visible.
5. Photos with heavy makeup or those that are digitally altered may not meet the requirements.
6. If the background is not plain, light-colored, and free of objects, your visa will be rejected.
7. Your visa photo will also be rejected if it is not 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, which are the standard dimensions for visa photos.
8. To avoid a visa rejection, it is necessary to stick your photograph on the application form securely before submitting it to the embassy.

Suggested Read: How to Book Spain Visa Appointment

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FAQs: Spain Tourist Visa Photo Requirements for Indian Citizens

1. What is the standard size for photos for Indian citizens applying for a Spain tourist visa?

The standard visa photo size for Spain tourist visa is 35mm x 45 mm (width x height).

2.  Can I use a photo with a colored background for my visa application to Spain?

No, colored backgrounds are not recommended for photo backgrounds. Spain visa requires a plain white background.

3. Are glasses allowed in visa photos?

The Spain visa photo guidelines state that glasses of any form are not allowed. The only exception is for medical reasons.

4. What facial expression should I have in my Spain visa photo?

When posing for your Spain visa photo, keep a neutral expression, while looking straight at the camera. Avoid smiling or frowning.

5. What should you do if your photo is rejected?

If your visa photo is rejected, identify the reason for rejection, correct the mistake, retake the photo and make sure to adhere to all of the Spain visa photo requirements for Indians.

6. Are there specific requirements for infant visa photos?

There are no specific visa photo requirements for infants, but some relaxations from the adult guidelines are allowed, such as a slightly open mouth.