Get Your German Passport Photo Done Right [In 3 Mins]
Now you can take German passport photos with your smartphone in only 3 minutes, from home or anywhere else.
As seen in
German Passport Photo—Specifications
Acceptable German Passport Photo Examples
Glasses
Keep the lightning even and avoid any shadows. Use thin eyeglasses and ensure they don’t cover your eyes or any facial features.
Alterations
Avoid using editing software to alter your photo—digital filters or red-eye reduction is strictly prohibited.
Head coverings
Don’t cover your head unless wearing religious attire, and ensure facial features remain clearly visible.
German Passport Photo—All You Need to Know
Need a German passport photo?
Explore this comprehensive guide to German passport photo requirements, including fine details (e.g., allowed clothing and accessories), as well as available options for obtaining them both in physical locations and online.
Understanding German passport photo requirements
Requirements for a passport photo in Germany differ from those of the United States.
German readers seeking official guidelines can refer to this PDF file provided by the Federal Ministry of Interior and Home Affairs (BMI).
For your convenience, either go through the resource in English—accessible on the German Missions in the United States’ website, or read our detailed guide. With our guidance, you'll easily craft the perfect photograph for your German passport application.
If you prefer to save time and get a valid German passport photo using your cell phone in just 3 minutes, download our Passport Photo Booth App for iOS or Passport Photo Maker App for Android. Just upload your photo, and we'll take care of the rest.
German Passport Photo Requirements List
Requirement |
Prints & Digital |
Color |
Black and white or color |
Recency |
Taken in the last 6 months |
Image clarity |
Sharp, clear photo with proper contrast, taken under even lighting to avoid shadows and reflections. Blurry, grainy, or pixelated pictures will be rejected |
Filters |
No filters are allowed. The picture must show natural skin tones |
Background |
Solid light-color background without shadows, texture, or lines |
Size |
35 mm wide x 45 mm high (1.37” x 1.77”). Optimal head height is between 32–36 mm (1.26"–1.41") from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (70–80% of the photo) |
Print Quality |
Printed on glossy photo-quality paper |
Resolution |
>600 DPI |
Digital Alterations |
Prohibited |
Note: For the best results, if you have light hair, it's recommended to use a medium gray color background, while those with dark hair should opt for a light gray background.
The fine details: specifics of German passport photos
Beyond the technical specifications, there are additional guidelines to keep in mind for your German passport photo to meet the official criteria.
Take a look at this list of rules that you must also follow:
- Smile: Not allowed. Adopt a neutral expression with your mouth closed
- Eyes: Clearly open and visible, not covered by your hair
- Glasses: Sunglasses or tinted lenses are forbidden. If you wear eyeglasses, make sure the frame doesn’t cover the eyes or hinder their vision in any way
- Head position: Always centered. Don’t tilt or turn your head and face the camera head-on
- Headgear: Only allowed for religious purposes or in the case of an exceptional, permanent medical condition. In such instances, the area from the chin to the forehead must be fully visible in the photograph
- Attire: Preferably dark colors. Uniforms are not allowed
Are you planning to renew a German passport in the USA? We’ve got you covered with this handy step-by-step guide.
Here are other articles related to the topic:
- Where to Take German Passport Photos Near Me?
- Visa-Free Countries for German Passport Holders in 2023
Exceptions for kids’ passport photos in Germany
When it comes to kids, there are specific considerations to accommodate the challenges that may arise when photographing them:
- For children under 10, the head size can range from 50% to 80% of the photo's dimensions. That’d be like 22–36mm (0.86–1.41”)
- Children aged 5 and under are not required to maintain a neutral facial expression, look directly into the camera, or be perfectly centered in the photo
- Babies under the age of one are not required to have their eyes open
Getting the right size for your German passport photo
Size is particularly important when it comes to your passport photo.
Ensure you request a photo measuring 35 mm in width and 45 mm in height (1.37 x 1.77 inches).
Your head should occupy 70-80% of the photo, specifically between 32-36 mm (1.26"–1.41") from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head. Both the left and right sides of your face must be clearly visible.
In the case of voluminous hairstyles, ensure that your entire head, including your hair, is visible without compromising the face's size, if feasible.
For more detailed picture size information, you can refer to these extra guidelines provided by the German government, which offer specifics for both adults and children.
Online services for German passport photos
While obtaining 35x45 mm size photos might pose challenges at popular US retail stores like Walgreens or CVS, there’s nothing to worry about if using a professional passport photo app.
That’s because these apps save you time and money and ensure that your photos meet the necessary specifications, minimizing any chances of errors.
To help you pick the best option, we've compiled a handy comparison table of popular online passport photo providers. Take a look at the array of services they offer and choose the one that suits you best:
Provider |
User- friendliness |
Essential features |
Large country database |
Compliance guarantee & refund |
Printing service |
Price |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Passport Photo Online |
5/5 |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
$16.95–$19.95 |
Passport Photo & ID Maker |
5/5 |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
Free |
ID Photo For Passports And IDs |
4/5 |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
Free |
iVisa Passport Photo |
3/5 |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
$8.29–$16.99 |
Passport Photo-ID Photo |
4/5 |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
Free |
Safeguard your passport application journey with accurate and fully-compliant biometric photographs, courtesy of such a user-friendly and efficient service as Passport Photo Online.
Or read this review about the best passport photo apps for a deeper understanding.
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