Germany Passport Photo Requirements 2026 (Biometriefoto)

Country guide · 🇩🇪 Germany · Last verified: February 2026

Official photo specifications for German passport (Reisepass), national ID card (Personalausweis), visa, and residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis). Verified against the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and Bundesdruckerei guidelines.

Critical update — digital-only photos since May 2025

From May 1, 2025, Germany no longer accepts printed paper photos for national ID cards, passports, and residence permits.

All photos must now be submitted digitally through one of two channels:
1. Certified photo studio (Fotograf) — takes your photo, transmits it digitally to the Bürgeramt via encrypted QR code
2. Self-service terminal at the Bürgeramt (Personalausweisautomat) — some offices have on-site kiosks

A transition period ran until July 31, 2025. Since August 2025, paper photos are no longer accepted under any circumstances for German ID cards and passports.

What this means for applicants: you cannot simply bring a printed photo to the Bürgeramt. You need either a QR code from a certified photographer or use a self-service terminal on-site.

Quick reference

Biometric photo specifications (Biometriefoto)

Germany's biometric photo requirements are defined by the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) in cooperation with ICAO standards.

Size and dimensions

• Photo size: 35×45 mm
• Head height: from chin to top of head (including hair) must be 32–36 mm
• Top margin: 3–5 mm between top of hair and top of photo
• Face coverage: 70–80% of photo area
• Eye position: both eyes centred horizontally, positioned in the upper half of the photo

Background — Germany-specific rule

Germany's background requirement differs from many countries:

• Required: plain grey, grey-white, or very light grey — uniform, no patterns, no shadows
• Not acceptable: pure white, coloured backgrounds, or off-white with visible texture

This is the most common mistake for applicants used to US or UK requirements (which use white or light grey/cream). German authorities explicitly require a grey-toned background — not pure white.

Additionally: for applicants with light or grey hair, a slightly darker grey background is recommended to ensure sufficient contrast between hair and background. For dark hair, a medium light grey works best.

Expression and appearance

• Expression: strictly neutral — no smile, no raised eyebrows, no frown, mouth closed
• Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera, no red-eye or glare
• Head position: straight, facing camera directly, no tilt or turn
• Glasses: not permitted. This applies to all glasses including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. No exceptions without documented medical necessity.
• Head coverings: not permitted unless worn daily for religious reasons. Full face must be visible with no shadows on the face.
• Clothing: everyday attire. No uniforms, camouflage, or clothing matching the background.

Quality requirements

• Colour: full colour only. Black and white photos are explicitly not accepted.
• Resolution: minimum 300 DPI for print reference; digital submissions must be high resolution (typically 600 DPI)
• Sharpness: photo must be sharp with no blur or pixelation
• Lighting: even, natural-looking illumination across the entire face. No shadows on the face or background, no overexposure or underexposure
• Retouching: not permitted. German authorities explicitly prohibit digitally altered photos. This includes beauty filters, skin smoothing, and AI-generated adjustments.

German Schengen visa photos

For visa applications at German embassies and consulates abroad, printed photos are still required:

• 2 printed photos required
• Size: 35×45 mm
• Background: plain, uniformly coloured light background — light grey preferred for contrast with dark hair; slightly darker grey for light or grey hair
• Recency: within 6 months
• Same expression, lighting, and quality requirements apply

German consulates publish a photo sample sheet (Musterfotoblatt) showing acceptable and unacceptable examples. Many embassy websites recommend local photographers familiar with German biometric standards.

How to get a compliant photo in Germany

Certified photo studio (certified since May 2025):
Photographers must be certified to transmit photos digitally to government authorities. They provide a QR code which you present at the Bürgeramt. Cost: approximately €10–15. Brands like Foto Quelle, dm Drogerie (photo kiosk), and independent photographers offer this service.

Self-service terminals at Bürgeramt:
Some Bürgerämter have installed Personalausweisautomaten — self-service kiosks where you take the photo on-site. No need to bring anything. Cost: approximately €6.

PixID for Schengen visa applicants:
For non-German residents applying for a Schengen visa at a German embassy abroad, PixID generates a print-ready JPEG meeting German biometric photo specifications. This works for printed visa applications at German missions — it is not compatible with Germany's domestic digital-only system for ID cards and passports.

Common rejection reasons

• Pure white background — Germany requires light grey, not white. This is the most common mistake.
• Glasses — not permitted. No exceptions without medical documentation.
• Head size incorrect — must be 32–36 mm chin to crown in the 45 mm frame
• Insufficient contrast between hair and background — grey-haired applicants on light background
• Digital retouching detected — filters, skin smoothing, AI editing
• Non-neutral expression — even a slight smile is grounds for rejection
• Shadows on face or background — from poor studio lighting
• Black and white photo — not accepted under any circumstances
• Paper photo submitted — no longer accepted for domestic German documents since August 2025

Frequently asked questions

What is a Biometriefoto in Germany?
A Biometriefoto is a biometric passport photo meeting German federal specifications: 35×45 mm, light grey background, neutral expression, specific head positioning. Required for passport, national ID, residence permit, and visa applications.

What background colour is required for German passport photos?
Light grey or grey-white — not pure white. This is Germany's most distinctive requirement and the most common cause of rejection for applicants from countries that use white backgrounds (US, Canada, India).

Can I wear glasses in a German passport photo?
No. Glasses are not permitted in German biometric photos. This applies to all prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. No exceptions unless medically documented.

Why doesn't Germany accept paper passport photos anymore?
Germany eliminated paper photo submissions for domestic documents (passport, ID card, residence permit) from May 1, 2025. Photos must now be transmitted digitally by certified photographers or taken at self-service terminals at the Bürgeramt. This is part of Germany's digital administration initiative.

How do I get a digital passport photo for my German ID card?
Go to a certified photo studio (Fotostudio) in Germany — they transmit the photo digitally and give you a QR code for your Bürgeramt appointment. Alternatively, use a self-service terminal at the Bürgeramt itself.

Can I use PixID for a German passport or ID card application?
PixID generates compliant photos for German Schengen visa applications at German embassies abroad (printed format). For domestic German ID cards and passports, the digital-only system requires transmission by a certified German photographer — PixID's digital file is not currently compatible with this system.

What size is a German passport photo?
35×45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm). Head height from chin to top of hair must be 32–36 mm within the frame.

How recent must a German passport photo be?
Within the last 6 months for most applications, reflecting current appearance.

Official references: ICAO Doc 9303 · German Biometriefoto follows ICAO; BMI/Bundesdruckerei specs apply domestically; US comparison: travel.state.gov.

See also

• Schengen visa photo requirements — complete guide
• Schengen visa photo requirements in Arabic
• Photo requirements by country — full comparison
• How to take a compliant photo at home

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