Get the Info on Germany's Visa Photo Requirements [With Examples & Online Photo Tool]

German visa photo

Do you know that visa photos are not universal for the whole world? Visa photo sizes may vary depending on the country. For example, in the US the dimensions are 51x51 mm, while in China a visa photo is expected to be 33x48 mm. Moreover, some countries may be more lenient when it comes to the photo requirements, while others impose more stringent rules. Once you choose a specific document, Passport Photo Online cropping and resizing tool will adjust your photo for a German visa accordingly. 

German visa photo - size and dimensions

For the German visa application, you must provide 2 (two) identical visa photos that are 35 x 45 mm in size.

The photo must clearly show your facial features from the tip of the chin to the top of the head. Your face must take up 70 - 80% of the image; in millimetres it should be between 32 and 36 mm. That includes the hair, so if you have a voluminous hairstyle, it is your responsibility to make sure that the head with the hair is fully depicted without reducing the size of the face.

Important thing: the height of the face may not be less than 32 mm.

Selfie as a German visa photo 

You’re not allowed to provide a selfie as your German visa picture. That is because the distance between the camera and the person photographed must be between 1,20 and 2 meters, and the head should be neither at an angle nor turned. Your entire head and neck must be visible, and the upper part of the shoulders optionally as well. To get the required view, we recommend you to use a tripod or ask another person for help.

Colors in German visa photos

Your German visa picture must be in color, moreover the picture must be neutral in color and skin tone should be represented naturally. The same applies to the color of your eyes. That means that any “red eye” effect caused by flash will disqualify the picture. 

The background should be clear, usually plain white - it must contrast the face and hair. In the case of light colored hair, a medium-gray background is more suitable, while a light-gray background is suitable for dark hair. No shadows, patterns, other people or objects can be visible in your German visa picture.

But you don’t need to worry about the background - you can take a picture on any background, even in your room or kitchen, and just use Passport Photo Online background editor that will replace an incorrect background with the required one.

Illumination in German visa photos

Remember that your face must be evenly illuminated - both its sides must be visible, no shadows are accepted.

A very important thing is also to adjust contrast and brightness when taking the picture.

The image must not be overexposed or underexposed. The German visa photo should be focused, clear, and have no creases or damages.

If you wear eyeglasses in your German visa photo, make sure they don’t obscure your eyes, nor produce shadows on your face. Glasses are allowed, but make sure that there’s no glare on them.

Germany visa photo requirements - resolution

The photo you attach to your visa application form should be printed on high-quality paper. At the moment it’s not possible to send a picture via the Internet.

The print resolution must be at least 600 dpi if you take your photo with a digital camera. The face must be sharply focused in all areas, rich in contrast, and clear.

If you want to take a picture with your smartphone, it’s easy to produce a high-quality picture, especially if you use a visa photo maker that crops, resizes, and adjusts your visa photo.

German visa photo requirements - composition

The candidate’s head must be centered and must not be tilted in any direction - only an en-face view is accepted. The photographed person must keep their mouth closed and look directly into the camera lens.

The eyes must be open and clearly visible and may not be covered by hair or eyeglasses frames.

According to the German visa photo requirements, your picture must be:

• in color,
• not older that 6 months,
• printed on high-quality paper,
• original (not altered in any way).

Don’t smile or maintain an unnatural expression in the visa picture - a neutral facial expression is required. Keep your mouth closed, but not tightened. Your face must be clearly visible, so make sure that your hair, head gear, or jewelry do not cover its line.

German visa photo requirements - dress code

There are not any recommendations about clothing in German visa pictures with one exception - you must not wear uniforms nor any clothes with army patterns, as they may resemble uniforms.

You can wear something nice and comfortable - a simple blouse with a collar or V-neck is our recommendation. If you like jewelry, you can put on a necklace and a small pair of earrings. Wearing massive earrings or hair decorations is not recommended, as they can obscure your jawline and in such a case your picture won’t be accepted.

If you cover your head for religious reasons every day, there is no requirement to take it off for the German visa picture. But even if you keep it on, your face must be clearly visible, and the head covering cannot cover your facial features (including the eyebrows).

German visa photo for children and babies

If you intend to travel with minors, they will need a German visa too, and you also need to fill out the application form, and attach 2 (two) identical passport-size photos to it. There are not any special additional requirements nor exemptions for German visa photos for children and babies.

If you find it problematic to take a picture of an infant, because you need to support their head, just take a picture normally and then remove the incorrect background. You can do it quickly and easily with Passport Photo Online photo app - this editor also changes an unsuitable background into the required one, crops, and resizes the image, while also verifying that your child’s photo satisfies all the requirements!

What is not permitted in the German visa photo?

If you don’t meet the requirements, your visa photo will be rejected and you will need to start all the visa processing again. To avoid this uncomfortable situation, just get familiar with the most common mistakes that people make.

Your picture must not be:

• older than 6 months,
• altered by Photoshop, filters, or any kind of computer software,
• overexposed or underexposed,
• printed on low-quality paper,
• cut out from another, bigger picture.

In the picture you are not permitted to:

• tilt your head,
• look sideways, up or down, or have your eyes closed,
• have your mouth open/show your teeth,
• smile, frown, or make a face (this includes the “duckface”),
• wear a uniform or clothes resembling a uniform.

German visa photo near me

You can take your picture wherever is convenient for you - in your living room, garden, or on the street! Just ask someone to take a picture of you, and upload it to the Passport Photo Onine editor.

Of course, you still must meet the requirements regarding size, background, lighting, etc., but our online photo tool will take care of all those details. Take a visa photo in 3 seconds from anywhere with Passport Photo Online!

Visa photo app

If you aren’t sure how to resize a picture, why not check out our photo app?

In a few seconds you will get your perfect visa photo ready to attach to your application form.

Passport Photo Online app is available online, easy to use, and cheap - you pay only for correct photos, and they have a guarantee of acceptance by authorities!

Last update: 10/4/23