OnlinePassportSizePhoto

German passport photo (biometrisches Passbild)

German passports and ID cards use a 35 × 45 mm biometric photo with the head 32–36 mm tall on a plain, light background, usually light grey.

  • 35 × 45 mm
  • Plain light grey background
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Requirements

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    German passport photo (Passbild) requirements

    Photo size35 × 45 mm
    Pixels at 300 DPI413 × 531 px
    Head height (chin to crown)32–36 mm
    BackgroundPlain light grey
    ColourColour photo, sharp and evenly lit

    Official source: Bundesdruckerei. Rules can change, so check it before you apply.

    German passport photo (Passbild): 35 × 45 mm with head-size guide35 mm (1.38 in)45 mmHead32–36 mmchin to crownBackground: plain light grey
    Drawn to scale. The red lines show the allowed head size, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair.

    Since May 2025, most German citizens' offices (Bürgerämter) take the passport photo digitally on site or require a photo sent electronically from a certified photo studio. Printed photos brought from home may no longer be accepted for German passports and ID cards.

    Use this page to understand the format and to make photos for other documents that still accept prints, such as residence permits in some offices, driving licences or job applications.

    How to take the photo

    1. Find a plain, light wall

      Stand about half a metre in front of it so your shadow falls behind you, not on the wall around your head.

    2. Face the light

      Daylight from a window in front of you works best. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadows under the eyes.

    3. Have someone take it at eye level

      The camera should be about 1.2 m (4 ft) away, level with your eyes. Leave space above your head and include your shoulders.

    4. Crop it here

      Add the photo above, check that the top of your head and your chin sit on the red lines, and download.

    Tips for this document

    • Light grey is the safest background in Germany.
    • Keep your head straight and both eyes clearly visible.

    Common reasons photos are rejected

    • Correct
    • Head too small
    • Head too large
    • Head tilted
    • Shadow behind
    • Busy background

    Printing your photos

    Download the print sheet and print it at a photo shop, a pharmacy photo counter or at home on photo paper. Choose actual size or 100% in the print settings; “fit to page” shrinks the photos and they will be the wrong size. Cut along the small corner marks so each photo measures exactly 35 × 45 mm.

    Questions people ask

    Can I still bring my own Passbild to the Bürgeramt?

    In most offices, no. Since 2025, photos for passports and ID cards are taken on site or sent electronically by a registered studio. Ask your office before you go.