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 passport photo must be 35 × 45 mm. Plain light background. Head occupies 71–80% of photo height (32–36 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, clear lenses only, 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, head centred, no tilt or rotation. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible; no tinting or reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No shadows or uneven lighting. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing; face and shoulder line must be distinguishable from the background. |
| 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 |
German passport photo verification follows the BSI TR-03121 biometric standard — Germany's national implementation of ICAO 9303 — which is the most technically prescriptive in the EU. The standard specifies exact head geometry (32-36mm chin-to-crown), uniform 70-80% brightness light-grey background, and specific eye-line positioning (60-70% from bottom of frame).
Since 1 May 2025, normal German passport and ID applications require digital-only Lichtbilder captured either at the Bürgeramt with the office's dedicated camera, or by an approved photo service provider who transfers the image via secure cloud delivery directly to Bundesdruckerei. Self-printed or self-uploaded photos are no longer accepted for new applications.
Bundesdruckerei runs the image through automated BSI TR-03121 compliance checks before personalising the chip. Photos that pass the auto-check go directly to production; flagged photos are returned to the Bürgeramt for retake.
Match scores from this reference image are checked at every German e-Gate crossing.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Germany passport photos get rejected.
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.
Clear lenses only, 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.
German passport applications are processed by Bürgeramt offices (citizen registry offices) at the municipal level. Since 1 May 2025, only digital photo capture is accepted.
Search at bund.de or your city's website (e.g. service.berlin.de)
Photo captured digitally at the office (free) or via approved Lichtbild service (€15-25)
Authority pageYour local German embassy or consulate
Photo standards identical; consulate uses approved local Lichtbild service
Authority page| Authority | Federal Foreign Office of Germany |
|---|---|
| Source | German Foreign Office biometric photo samples |
| Verified |
Questions
Since May 1, 2025 all biometric photos for German passports, identity cards (Personalausweis), and electronic residence permits (eAT) must be supplied digitally via approved cloud delivery to Bundesdruckerei. The QR code on your studio Lichtbild proves the photo originated from a certified Fotostudio with eAT-Bestätigung — meeting BSI TR-03121 quality criteria. Printed photos are no longer accepted at most Bürgerämter.
Yes. Most Bürgerämter have approved photo-terminal stations (often Speed Capture or similar) where the QR-coded photo is generated on-site for €5-10 instead of the €15-25 a studio charges.
According to Bundesdruckerei figures published April 2026, the rejected-photo rate dropped from approximately 8% (printed era) to under 2% (digital QR-code era). The change tightened BSI TR-03121 compliance and removed the courier-to-Bundesdruckerei step, speeding total passport delivery by 1-3 business days.
The Germany passport photo must be 35 × 45 mm. The head must occupy 71–80% of the photo height.
Plain light background. Behind you there should be only a plain wall: no pattern, shadows or objects. Any light wall at home will do — the tool sets the exact background colour.
Most passport offices ask for a photo taken within the last six months. It should look like you today: after a new haircut or beard, take a new one.
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 — the refund policy page has the details.
Eyes must be fully visible; no tinting or 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.
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, ID card (Personalausweis), national visa (Type D), opportunity card (Chancenkarte).