head 71–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceFederal Foreign Office of Germany
Verified
Quick answer: A Germany ID card (Personalausweis) photo must be 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background. Head occupies 71–80% of photo height (32–36 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, glasses only if no glare. 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 fully visible, no reflections. 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 national ID card (Personalausweis) photos are administered by the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) and local Bürgerämter. The format is 35×45mm with face 32-36mm (70-80% of frame).
Germany-specific: light grey background required — pure white is not accepted (different from many EU countries). Expression completely neutral, mouth closed, no raised eyebrows.
Critical: as of May 1, 2025, Personalausweis applications require digital biometric photo with QR code from certified provider or capture at Bürgeramt self-service terminal. The Personalausweis is a biometric chip card used as travel document within EU.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Germany ID card (Personalausweis) photos get rejected.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected: some follow from the rules Federal Foreign Office of Germany publishes, the rest are the usual document-photo requirements. The table shows what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Photo from non-certified studio (post-May 2025) | Use certified Fotostudio with eAT-Bestätigung |
| White background rejected (light grey required) | Re-shoot against light grey backdrop |
| Raised eyebrows or non-neutral expression | Re-shoot completely neutral |
| Glasses worn | Re-shoot without glasses |
| Head outside 32-36mm chin-to-crown | Re-shoot at correct distance |
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.
Glasses only if no glare
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 | Federal Foreign Office of Germany |
|---|---|
| Source | German Foreign Office biometric photo samples |
| Verified |
Questions
The Germany ID card (Personalausweis) photo must be 35 × 45 mm. The head must occupy 71–80% of the photo height. The photo should look like you do day to day.
Plain light background. A plain, evenly lit wall without shadows or pattern is enough — the tool sets the required background colour.
Yes. Stand against a plain light wall facing a window, and take the photo with a timer or ask someone to help. The tool crops it to size, fixes the background and checks the framing.
Most offices accept a photo taken within the last six months. If your hair, beard or face has changed noticeably since then, take a new one.
Eyes fully visible, no reflections. If you keep them on, tilt them slightly downwards by lifting the arms a little above your ears: this usually moves reflections of a window or lamp off the lenses.
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 blue card, EU long-term residence permit, national visa (Type D), opportunity card (Chancenkarte), passport.