Compare
Germany vs Poland visa photo — full spec comparison
Side-by-side comparison of visa photo requirements for Germany and Poland, sourced from each issuing authority.
In short
Germany and Poland 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; Poland: White. 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 | Poland |
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm | 35 × 45 mm |
| Head height | 71–80% (32–36 mm) | 70–80% |
| Background | Plain light background. | Strictly white background; one colour photo 35 × 45 mm, not older than 6 months. |
| 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. | Not specified by the issuing authority |
| Pose | Full face, no tilt or rotation. | Full face, head centred, no tilt or rotation. |
| Lighting / shadows | No shadows or reflections. | No retouching or digital enhancement. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing. | Not specified by the issuing authority |
| Authority | Federal Foreign Office of Germany | Polish MFA / gov.pl |
| Verification | Official — exact | Official — exact |
| Last verified | 2026-05-17 | 2026-08-19 |
Read each rule set in full
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the same photo for Germany and Poland?
Usually not. Both documents use 35 × 45 mm, but the background requirements differ — Germany: Plain light; Poland: White. A photo prepared for one may be rejected by the other.
Which photo is larger — Germany or Poland?
Neither — both countries use the same 35 × 45 mm photo for this document.
What background colour do Germany and Poland require?
Germany requires: Plain light. Poland requires: White.