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Germany vs France passport photo — full spec comparison
Side-by-side comparison of passport photo requirements for Germany and France, sourced from each issuing authority.
In short
Germany and France use the same photo dimensions for this document. The other specifications (head-height, background, glasses) may still differ — see below.
Can you use the same photo for both?
Usually not. Both documents use 35 × 45 mm, but the background requirements differ — Germany: Plain light; France: Фон должен быть однотонным светлым: светло-серый или светло-голубой; белый фон запрещён. A photo prepared for one may be rejected by the other.
Specification table
Every value in this table is taken from the official publications of the two issuing authorities. Open either country page for the full rule set, the printable layout and the source links.
| Attribute | Germany | France |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm | 35 × 45 mm |
| Head height | 71–80% (32–36 mm) | 71–80% (32–36 mm) |
| Background | Plain light background. | Фон должен быть однотонным светлым: светло-серый или светло-голубой; белый фон запрещён. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible; no tinting or reflections. | Clear lenses without reflections; eyes must be fully visible. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. | Голова должна быть непокрытой: шапка, платок и ободок запрещены (La tête doit être nue); исключений нет. |
| Pose | Full face, head centred, no tilt or rotation. | Full face, head centred, no tilt or rotation. |
| Lighting / shadows | No shadows or uneven lighting. | No shadows, creases, or marks on the photo. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing; face and shoulder line must be distinguishable from the background. | Face must be fully open, hair must not cover the eyes; ears must be visible. |
| Authority | Federal Foreign Office of Germany | Service-Public.fr / Ministère de l’Intérieur |
| Verification | Official — exact | Official — exact |
| Last verified | 2026-05-21 | 2026-05-21 |
Read each rule set in full
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same photo for Germany and France?
Usually not. Both documents use 35 × 45 mm, but the background requirements differ — Germany: Plain light; France: Фон должен быть однотонным светлым: светло-серый или светло-голубой; белый фон запрещён. A photo prepared for one may be rejected by the other.
Which photo is larger — Germany or France?
Neither — both countries use the same 35 × 45 mm photo for this document.
What background colour do Germany and France require?
Germany requires: Plain light. France requires: Фон должен быть однотонным светлым: светло-серый или светло-голубой; белый фон запрещён.