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.

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German Passport Photo—Specifications

Size

35x45 mm

Digital dimensions

N/A

Head size

Must fill 70–80% of the frame

Resolution

≥ 600 DPI

Background color

Light-colored

Recency

≤ 6 months

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.

Last update: 11/23/2023

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:

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.