German ID card photo rules explained
The Bundesministerium des Innern (BMI) sets the biometric photo standard for the Personalausweis. The printed size is 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) at 300 DPI, and the digital size is 413x531 pixels as a JPG. The head must measure 32-36 mm from chin to crown, and the background should be plain, preferably light grey.
- Glasses: allowed if there is no glare.
- Head covering: religious only, with the face fully visible.
- Copies: 1.
What changed in May 2025
Since May 2025, the German authorities accept only digital photos that are taken at the office or by a certified photographer and sent through a secure cloud upload. Printed 35x45 mm photos still work only at missions abroad. In practice, a photo you prepare yourself is mainly useful for a mission abroad, or as a reference for what the official photo should look like.
How to take the photo at home with a phone
Stand in front of a plain light wall and let soft window light fall on your face from the front. Hold the phone at eye height and look straight into the lens with a neutral expression and your mouth closed. Keep your head upright, and make sure the hairline and chin are both clearly visible.
- Check that the lenses of your glasses show no reflections.
- Keep shadows off both the face and the wall.
- Do not use filters or beauty modes.
IDPhotoly processes the image in your browser without uploading it, crops it to 35x45 mm and checks the head size against the 32-36 mm range.
Common reasons for rejection
- Printed photo handed in within Germany. Printed photos are only accepted at missions abroad.
- Photo not taken at the office or by a certified photographer. That is the rule for digital submission in Germany.
- Head outside 32-36 mm. The head is too large or too small for the template.
- Glare on glasses. Reflections make the eyes difficult to check.
- Uneven or shadowed background. A plain, light grey background is preferred.
Printing or uploading
For an application at a German mission abroad, print 1 copy at 35x45 mm and 300 DPI. A 413x531 px JPG is also available for digital use.
Payment is one-time, and you receive a full refund if an authority rejects the photo.
Tips for a clean result
Treat the digital file as a reference for what an acceptable photo looks like: face centred, head in the 32-36 mm range, even light and a plain background. If you are applying inside Germany, ask the office or a certified photographer to take the photo, since that is the only route accepted there. If you are applying at a mission abroad, check with it which format it prefers before you print.