Germany Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – Size, Background & Rules
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Germany Passport Photo Requirements 2026

Official specifications issued by Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) / Bundesdruckerei. Use this guide to ensure your photo is accepted first time.

35 × 45 mm Light grey (not white) background 300 DPI Updated Jan 2026

📐 Germany Passport Photo Specifications

SpecificationRequired Value
Photo Size35 × 45 mm  1.38 × 1.77 inches
Digital Dimensions413 × 531 pixels minimum
Resolution300 DPI
File FormatJPEG
File SizeMax 9 MB (digital via certified photographer)
BackgroundLight grey (not white)  No white
Face CoverageFace 32–36 mm in height (70–80%)
GlassesClear-lens allowed if eyes fully visible; tinted banned
Photo RecencyWithin last 6 months
Face height32–36 mm (70–80% of photo height)
BackgroundLight grey — pure white NOT accepted
Photo submissionDigital only via certified photographer QR code (since May 2025)
GlassesClear-lens allowed if no glare; tinted/sunglasses banned
Head positionPerfectly centred, facing camera directly
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, no smile
HeadwearNot allowed (except documented religious reasons)
Issuing AuthorityFederal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) / Bundesdruckerei

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✅ Photo Rules — What Is Required

  • Photo taken Within last 6 months
  • Neutral facial expression, mouth closed
  • Both eyes open and clearly visible
  • Light grey (not white) background — no patterns or shadows
  • Face centred and occupying 70–80%) of the photo
  • Head upright, looking directly at the camera
  • Even lighting — no shadows on face
  • High quality, in focus — minimum 300 DPI
  • Clear-lens allowed if eyes fully visible; tinted banned
  • No headwear (except religious with documentation)
  • No digital filters, beauty effects, or editing
  • No shadows behind the head

🚫 Common Reasons for Photo Rejection

  • Photo older than 6 months
  • White background — Germany requires light grey, not white
  • Non-grey or patterned background
  • Tinted glasses, sunglasses, or glare on clear lenses
  • Shadows on face or background
  • Smiling or open mouth
  • Head tilted or not facing camera directly
  • Paper photo submitted (banned since May 2025)
  • Self-taken photo submitted directly (must go via certified photographer)
  • Digitally edited or AI-enhanced photo

📸 How to Take a Compliant Photo at Home

  • Stand against a plain light grey wall with even lighting from a window in front of you
  • Use your phone's rear camera on a tripod or rested surface — never a selfie camera
  • Keep the camera at eye level — not above or below
  • Ensure no shadows appear on your face or the background
  • Remove glasses before taking the photo
  • Wear dark clothing — it stands out from the grey background
  • Do not use portrait mode, filters, or beauty correction
  • Do not take in a room with coloured walls behind you
  • Do not take in low light or with a light source behind you

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

35×45 mm (413×531 pixels at 300 DPI minimum). This is the ICAO biometric standard used across the EU. The face must be 32–36 mm in height, occupying 70–80% of the photo. The same size applies to Reisepass, Personalausweis, and Schengen visa applications.
Light grey — not pure white. This is one of the most common mistakes: Germany specifically requires a uniform light grey background, not the white background used by India, USA, or Canada. Pure white backgrounds are rejected by German authorities. A medium or light grey wall is ideal.
Clear-lens glasses are technically allowed in Germany if the eyes are fully visible and completely free of glare or flash reflections. However, tinted lenses and sunglasses are banned. In practice, most photographers recommend removing glasses to avoid any risk of rejection at the authority.
From May 1, 2025, Germany banned paper passport photos entirely. All biometric photos for German passports, ID cards, and residence permits must now be submitted digitally via a certified photographer. The photographer encrypts the image and uploads it to a government cloud. You receive a QR code (data matrix code) which you present at your appointment. Self-taken photos from apps or phones cannot be submitted directly.
Yes. Both the Reisepass (passport) and Personalausweis (national identity card) use the same 35×45 mm biometric specifications with a light grey background. The digital QR code from the photographer can typically be used for multiple document applications within 6 months.