head 71–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceFederal Foreign Office of Germany / Service Berlin
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended Germany settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) photo size is 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 residence permit photos are reviewed by the relevant immigration authority. The review checks that the photo matches the applicant's current appearance, confirms the background and lighting meet the stated standard, and validates that the head-height ratio falls within the specified range. Some authorities run an automated biometric pre-check before the manual review stage.
Residence permit photos often have stricter recency requirements than passport photos, because the document is tied to an active legal status that may be audited. Submit a photo taken within the last three months where possible, even if the authority allows up to six months.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Germany settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
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 | Federal Foreign Office of Germany / Service Berlin |
|---|---|
| Source | German residence-title biometric photo rules |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the Germany settlement permit (Niederlassungserlaubnis) photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 71–80% of the photo height. Submit the photo with your application file or online portal as required by the immigration authority.
Residence permit photos often have stricter recency requirements than passport photos because the permit is tied to an active legal status. Submit a photo taken within the last three months where possible, even if the authority allows up to six months.
Plain light background. The wall behind you must be evenly lit with no shadows. Patterns typically trigger automated pre-screening rejection at the immigration submission portal.
Usually no. Even when dimensions match, residence permit applications require a fresh photo that reflects your current appearance at the time of application. Reused passport photos are a frequent rejection cause.
If hair, beard, weight or facial features have changed noticeably, take a new photo. The immigration reviewer compares the photo to your current appearance during the in-person submission or biometric appointment.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the Germany immigration authority rejects the photo and you supply the official rejection notice.
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).