diff --git a/app/schemas/contact.py b/app/schemas/contact.py
index ab2bd87..852557b 100644
--- a/app/schemas/contact.py
+++ b/app/schemas/contact.py
@@ -75,6 +75,13 @@ class ContactCreate(BaseModel):
     @model_validator(mode="after")
     def _require_name_or_firstname(self):
         """Ensure company has a name or person has a firstname."""
+        # Infer type from payload when the caller did not send it explicitly:
+        # person-like fields (firstname/surname) -> person, otherwise company.
+        if "type" not in self.model_fields_set:
+            if self.firstname or self.surname:
+                self.type = "person"
+            elif self.name:
+                self.type = "company"
         if self.type == "company" and not self.name:
             raise ValueError("Company contacts require a 'name' field")
         if self.type == "person" and not self.firstname: