German passport photo rules explained
The Bundesministerium des Innern (BMI) sets the Passbild standard. 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. 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.
The head range follows the BMI Passbild template; it is not restated on the source page, so treat it as the template value.
Important change since May 2025
Since 1 May 2025, photos for German passports must be digital. They are taken at the authority or by a certified photographer and sent through a secure cloud. Printed 45x35 mm photos are only accepted at German missions abroad. If you apply in Germany, a photo you make at home may therefore not be accepted at the counter.
How to take the photo at home with a phone
For an application at a German mission abroad, take the photo in front of a plain light wall with soft, even light from the front. Keep the phone at eye level, look straight into the lens and keep a neutral expression. Make sure no shadows fall on the face or the wall behind you.
- Check lenses for reflections if you wear glasses.
- Do not tilt your head or use filters.
IDPhotoly processes the image in your browser, crops it to 35x45 mm and checks the head size.
Common reasons for rejection
- Photo not supplied through the approved digital route. In Germany only photos taken at the office or by a certified photographer are accepted.
- Printed photo in Germany. Printed photos only work at missions abroad.
- Head too large or small. The head should be 32-36 mm.
- Glare on glasses. Reflections make the eyes hard to see.
- Shadows on the background. A plain, preferably light grey background is expected.
Printing or uploading
For missions abroad, print the 35x45 mm photo at 300 DPI. A 413x531 px JPG is available for digital use. Payment is one-time, with a full refund if an authority rejects the photo.
Tips for a clean result
Use the digital file for any workflow that asks for it and the printed version for a mission abroad. Before you finish, confirm which route your application office follows, because German offices now expect the photo to arrive digitally through the authority or a certified photographer rather than as a print you bring yourself.
- Keep the background plain and, where possible, light grey.
- Look straight at the lens with a neutral expression and your mouth closed.
- Do not retouch or filter the photo.