Crop a photo to 35 × 45 mm — Germany eu blue card
Upload a photo — the frame is already set for a Germany eu blue card. Ready to print or upload.
Two ways to hand in the photo for this document
Germany accepts the photo for this document two ways, and only one of them starts with a file on your computer. Read both before you crop anything.
- You supply the photo yourself — printed or as a file. Then it has to match the sizes on this page exactly, and the cropper below is the right tool.
- The photo is taken for you where the application is filed. On that route Service Berlin / Land Berlin works with its own image, and a file you cropped here is not used at all.
Upload your photo
The document is already selected — the frame is locked to 35 × 45 mm. Drag the photo inside the frame; the shape cannot be broken.
The photo is cropped in your browser. It is not uploaded to a server and we do not store it.
How to crop it, in three steps
- Upload a photo taken face-on, in even light
- Move the photo until the eyes sit on the guide line and the head fills 71–80%
- Save the 35 × 45 mm result — print it or attach it to the application
Exact numbers for this document
| Parameter | What it must be |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
| Aspect ratio | 7:9 |
| Head, share of height | 71–80% of photo height |
| Head, chin to crown | 32–36 mm chin to crown |
| Eye line from the bottom edge | 55–70% |
| Background | Plain light background. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
What cropping will not fix
- A wrong background — cropping does not repaint the wall behind you. This document needs: plain light
- A shadow on the face or on the wall. Step 1–2 m away from the wall and shoot facing a window.
- Glare on the lenses. Take the glasses off or turn away from the light source and shoot again.
- A smile, raised brows or a half-open mouth. Cropping keeps the face it was given.
- Too few pixels. If the original is smaller than 413 × 531 px, enlarging it only blurs the face.
Why these photos get rejected — and how to fix each one
| 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 |
Germany-specific things to know
- Same biometric spec as German Aufenthaltstitel (MAY 1, 2025 QR-code requirement)
- CERTIFIED studios only — DIY rejected
- EU Blue Card = EU-wide highly-qualified worker permit
Printing on a single sheet
4 × 2 frames fit on one 10×15 cm sheet — 8 copies from a single print.
Photos per print sheet
| 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.
Where these numbers come from
Source: Service Berlin / Land Berlin. Last checked against the official page on 2026-05-17.
- Service Berlin lists one current biometric passport photo as a required document for the EU Blue Card transfer route.
- The page states that the new digital-photo regulation is effective from 1 May 2025.
- Since 1 May 2025, biometric passport photos for this route may only be taken at government offices or photo studios and transmitted via a secure electronic channel.
- Service Berlin lists a possible €6.00 cost for creating a digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site.
Questions people ask before cropping
35 × 45 mm. 71–80% of photo height.
413 × 531 px (300 dpi) · 827 × 1063 px (600 dpi).
71–80% of photo height. 32–36 mm chin to crown.
Plain light background.
A wrong background — cropping does not repaint the wall behind you. This document needs: plain light A shadow on the face or on the wall. Step 1–2 m away from the wall and shoot facing a window. Glare on the lenses. Take the glasses off or turn away from the light source and shoot again. A smile, raised brows or a half-open mouth. Cropping keeps the face it was given. Too few pixels. If the original is smaller than 413 × 531 px, enlarging it only blurs the face.
4 × 2 frames fit on one 10×15 cm sheet — 8 copies from a single print.