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Germany vs Austria visa photo — full spec comparison
Side-by-side comparison of visa photo requirements for Germany and Austria, sourced from each issuing authority.
In short
Germany and Austria 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; Austria: Plain background without shadows per official Austrian Passbildkriterien. 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 | Austria |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm | 35 × 45 mm |
| Head height | 71–80% (32–36 mm) | 71–80% (32–36 mm) |
| Background | Plain light background. | Plain background without shadows per official Austrian Passbildkriterien. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible. | Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Pose | Full face, no tilt or rotation. | Full face, no tilt or rotation, face must be unambiguously identifiable. |
| Lighting / shadows | No shadows or reflections. | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing. | Neutral clothing without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| Authority | Federal Foreign Office of Germany | oesterreich.gv.at / BMI |
| Verification | Official — exact | Official — exact |
| Last verified | 2026-05-17 | 2026-05-17 |
Read each rule set in full
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same photo for Germany and Austria?
Usually not. Both documents use 35 × 45 mm, but the background requirements differ — Germany: Plain light; Austria: Plain background without shadows per official Austrian Passbildkriterien. A photo prepared for one may be rejected by the other.
Which photo is larger — Germany or Austria?
Neither — both countries use the same 35 × 45 mm photo for this document.
What background colour do Germany and Austria require?
Germany requires: Plain light. Austria requires: Plain background without shadows per official Austrian Passbildkriterien.