German Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – Official Rules

German passport photos must be exactly 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall, following the ICAO standard used across most of Europe. The photo must be in colour and in portrait orientation.

The head height — measured from the top of the head (including hair) to the bottom of the chin — must be between 32 mm and 36 mm. This means the head occupies roughly 71–80% of the total image height. Both ears should be visible where possible, and the face must be centred horizontally in the frame.

For digital submissions (for example when applying through German consulates or embassies abroad), the image must be at least 300 DPI or 413 × 531 pixels at the correct 35×45 mm proportions. JPEG format is the accepted standard.

The German standard requires a plain white or light grey background with no patterns, gradients, or shadows. Unlike the UK, Germany accepts both pure white and light grey, but the background must be consistent and clearly contrast with light-coloured hair or clothing.

Shadows behind the subject are one of the most common reasons photos are rejected. When taking a photo at home, position yourself at least one metre away from the wall to prevent shadows falling on the background. Good diffuse lighting from the front eliminates most shadow problems.

AI-based tools like ID Wizard automatically remove and replace the background with the correct tone when you select Germany as the target country, eliminating the most common rejection cause.

In line with the ICAO standard, glasses are not permitted in German passport photos. This applies to both prescription glasses and sunglasses. The rule has been in effect since biometric passports were introduced in Germany in 2005 and was confirmed in the updated BMI guidelines.

If you normally wear glasses, remove them before your photo is taken. Contact lenses are permitted as long as they are transparent and do not alter the natural appearance of the eyes. Coloured or tinted contact lenses that change your eye colour are not permitted.

Since the introduction of the BSI PointID framework, the German Reisepass and Personalausweis require applicants to submit photos directly at the Bürgeramt (citizen service office) or passport authority. The photo is captured or scanned on-site to prevent digital manipulation and meet the strict biometric data capture requirements for these high-security documents.

However, this restriction applies only to the Reisepass and Personalausweis. German driving licences, visas, residence permits (Aufenthaltstitel), and similar documents do not fall under the BSI PointID requirement. For those documents, a compliant biometric photo produced with an online service is accepted.

If you are applying for a German driving licence or visa and need a fast, compliant biometric photo, an online service remains a practical and officially accepted option.

Expression: Neutral, with your mouth closed. No smiling, no raised eyebrows. The facial expression must be relaxed and natural.

Eyes: Open and looking straight at the camera. Both eyes must be fully visible. The gaze must be level — not looking up, down, or to the side.

Lighting: Even and diffuse, without shadows on the face. Both sides of the face should be equally illuminated. Red-eye is not acceptable and the eyes must appear natural.

Head coverings: Not permitted unless worn for religious or medical reasons. If worn, the face from chin to forehead must be fully visible, and no shadows may fall across facial features.

Infants and young children: May have eyes that are not fully open, but the face must still be clearly visible and centred. For infants, the photo may be taken lying down, but the background must still meet the standard.