Get a German biometric photo that authorities will scan
German passports, ID cards, and electronic residence titles use 35×45 mm biometric photos. Since May 2025, many domestic applications no longer accept home-printed paper photos—you need a certified digital capture or an authority self-service booth.
The finished frame is 35×45 mm. Face height from chin to the crown of the head should be about 32–36 mm (roughly 70–80% of the photo height). Eyes must sit in the biometric template zone used by German authorities.
Background should be a single light neutral grey. Choose a mid grey for light hair and a lighter grey for dark hair so contrast stays readable. Pure white is a poor choice for domestic German ID photos even though some embassy visa FAQs still mention white or off-white for visa prints.
From 1 May 2025, paper passport and ID photos are widely refused for applications inside Germany. Go to a photographer connected to the certified Fotocloud system, receive a Data-Matrix or QR code, and present that code at your appointment—or use a PointID booth at participating authorities (often a small on-site fee).
Visa applications at German missions abroad are still a different track: they commonly ask for two identical 35×45 mm paper prints. Do not assume a QR code from a domestic renewal will satisfy a visa desk overseas.
| Specification | Official requirement |
|---|---|
| Passport / ID / e-residence (Germany) | 35 × 45 mm biometric |
| Face height | About 32–36 mm chin to crown |
| Domestic submission (from May 2025) | Certified digital photo + QR / Data-Matrix code |
| Visa at a German mission abroad | Usually 2 identical paper prints, 35 × 45 mm |
| Children | Under 10: face often 50–80% of height; infants have looser pose rules |
Always confirm the latest rules on the official government site before you submit.
Cream or textured walls, wrong head size after a selfie, and beauty filters cause most delays.
- Ask the studio whether they upload to the BSI-certified photo cloud used by German authorities.
- Keep a closed mouth and neutral expression—visa FAQs usually ban smiling.
- Glasses are allowed if frames do not hide the eyes and there is no glare; tinted lenses are refused.
- Religious head coverings may be allowed with approval; uniforms are not.
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Can I print my own passport photo at home?
Will a home-printed photo be accepted?
What size should I print?
- • 35 × 45 mm frame
- • Face about 32–36 mm high
- • Neutral light-grey background matched to hair colour
- • Frontal pose, mouth closed
- • Sharp eyes in the template zone
- • Domestic apps: certified digital code, not a DIY print
- • Visa abroad: follow the mission’s paper-print count
- • No heavy retouching of face shape
- • Bringing only a home print after May 2025 for a passport/ID renewal in Germany
- • Wrong grey contrast for your hair colour
- • Face height outside the biometric band
- • Using a domestic QR code for an overseas visa that still wants paper
- • Smiling or open mouth on a visa checklist that bans it
What size is a German passport photo?
35×45 mm with face height about 32–36 mm from chin to crown.
Can I print photos at home after May 2025?
For most passport and ID applications inside Germany, no—use a certified digital capture and code, or an authority booth.
What background colour?
Light neutral grey matched to hair colour. Avoid pure white for domestic ID photos.
Do visa photos abroad work the same way?
Usually not. Missions often still want two paper prints—read that embassy checklist.
Are glasses allowed?
Yes if eyes are clear without glare; tinted lenses are refused.
What is the QR / Data-Matrix code for?
It links your certified digital photo to the appointment so the authority can retrieve the encrypted file.
Children’s photos?
Under-10 face height rules are wider; studios experienced with biometric infant captures help.
Where are the legal size rules?
PassV Annex 8 sets the millimetre and proportion framework used in Germany.
Also see EU / Schengen 35×45 mm photo standards →