head 71–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceService Berlin / Land Berlin
Verified
Quick answer: A Germany EU blue card photo must be 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background. Head occupies 71–80% of photo height (32–36 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, eyes fully visible. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 71–80% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Head height (mm) | 32–36 mm chin to crown |
| Background | Plain light background. |
| Pose | Full face, no tilt or rotation. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No shadows or reflections. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
Germany EU Blue Card photos follow the same Federal Office of Administration (BVA) / BAMF / BSI Aufenthaltstitel biometric standard: 35×45mm with face 32-36mm chin-to-crown (70-80% of frame). Light grey biometric background preferred.
Three photos historically required. Critical: as of May 1, 2025, the EU Blue Card application — like all German residence permits — requires digital biometric photo with QR code from certified provider (Fotostudio with eAT-Bestätigung) via the approved cloud workflow.
DIY photos rejected. EU Blue Card is the EU-wide residence permit for highly-qualified workers.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Germany EU blue card photos get rejected.
Common reasons a document photo is rejected, checked against the requirements Service Berlin / Land Berlin publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Photo from non-certified studio (post-May 2025) | Use a certified eAT-photo provider with QR code |
| Missing QR code (post-May 2025) | Re-shoot at certified studio with QR generation |
| Background not light grey biometric | Re-shoot against approved backdrop |
| Glasses worn | Re-shoot without glasses |
How to take it
Background: plain light
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 71–80 % of the photo height (32–36 mm)
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Eyes fully visible
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | Service Berlin / Land Berlin |
|---|---|
| Source | EU Blue Card biometric photo rules |
| Verified |
Questions
The Germany EU blue card photo must be 35 × 45 mm. The head must occupy 71–80% of the photo height.
Yes, if it was taken within the last six months and meets the size and background rules of the work permit. If not, take a new one.
Plain light background. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
Most offices accept a photo taken within the last six months. Use one that shows how you look now.
No. For Germany work permit photos, wear ordinary clothes: no uniform or camouflage, nothing that hides your neck or shoulders. Religious head coverings are usually allowed if the face is fully visible.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the Germany authority.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: electronic residence permit (eAT), EU long-term residence permit, ID card (Personalausweis), national visa (Type D), opportunity card (Chancenkarte), passport.