Germany Passport Photo

Germany Passport Photo -- Complete Guide

Germany fundamentally changed its passport photo system on May 1, 2025, becoming one of the first countries to completely ban paper passport photographs. Under the new regulation, all passport (Reisepass), national identity card (Personalausweis), and residence permit photos must be submitted digitally via a secure QR code system. Traditional photo booth prints, self-taken photos, and paper photos brought to the Burgeramt are no longer accepted. This sweeping change was driven by a specific security concern: photo morphing, a technique where multiple facial images are merged to create fraudulent documents that can pass biometric checks for more than one person.

After a three-month transition period, the digital-only requirement became fully binding on July 31, 2025. All German government offices (Burgeramter) now require either a digital photo taken on-site via a self-service terminal, or a QR code from a certified photo studio or retail provider. The QR code links to the applicant's biometric photo stored on secure government servers and is valid for 6 months. This system eliminates the possibility of photo tampering between capture and government receipt.

Germany follows strict ICAO biometric standards, with the Bundesdruckerei (Federal Printing Office) providing the technical specifications in accordance with ICAO Document 9303. The requirements are detailed on the Federal Foreign Office (Auswartiges Amt) website and in sample photo guides published by German embassies.

This is one of the few countries where bringing a perfect print can still be the wrong move. If you want a clear non-government explanation of the post-2025 code workflow, dm's official Passbildservice overview is useful. For the biometric baseline itself, our 35x45mm Photo guide is a good comparison point, but in Germany the transmission method now matters almost as much as the dimensions.

Official Photo Requirements

Physical dimensions:

• 35 mm wide x 45 mm high -- the standard European biometric photo format
• Face height (chin to crown): 32 to 36 mm for adults; 22 to 36 mm for young children
• Face must occupy 70-80% of the total frame height
• Centered within the frame with approximately equal margins on both sides

Digital specifications:

• Minimum resolution: 600 DPI (required for both printed and digital submissions as of 2025)
• Photos transmitted via the QR code system are securely stored at government resolution standards
• The applicant does not handle a photo file directly -- the certified photographer or terminal transmits it to government servers

Background:

• Plain, uniform, light-coloured background -- light grey is the standard recommendation
• Medium grey is acceptable for subjects with dark or black hair (better contrast)
• White is accepted but light grey is preferred by German authorities for optimal biometric contrast
• No shadows, patterns, or objects in the background
• No reflections

Expression and pose:

• Neutral facial expression -- mouth closed, no smiling, no laughing
• Both eyes open, looking directly into the camera
• Head held straight, not tilted or turned
• Hair must not cover the face or eyes
• Face evenly lit with no shadows

Glasses: Not permitted. Germany banned glasses in passport photos to improve biometric facial recognition accuracy. This applies to all eyewear including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses. There are no exceptions.

Head coverings: Only permitted for documented religious reasons. The full face from chin to forehead and both sides must remain completely visible. No hats, caps, headbands, or fashion accessories on the head.

Colour: Must be in colour -- black-and-white is not accepted.

Recency: Must be taken within the last 6 months. The QR code itself is valid for 6 months from the date of capture.

How to Get Your German Passport Photo (Digital-Only System)

Since May 2025, there are only two ways to get a compliant German passport photo. Self-taken photos and traditional photo booth prints are no longer accepted.

Option 1: On-site terminal at the Burgeramt Many Burgeramter (citizen registration offices) and immigration offices have installed self-service photo terminals. The process works as follows:

1. Arrive at your appointment at the Burgeramt
2. Use the on-site photo terminal (typically a booth with a camera, screen, and payment unit)
3. The terminal guides you through positioning, expression, and background checks
4. Payment: approximately EUR 6 (coins or EUR 5 notes only at most terminals)
5. The terminal generates a QR code immediately after capture
6. Present the QR code to the staff member processing your application
7. Staff scan the QR code to retrieve your photo from the secure server

Option 2: Certified photographer or retail provider Visit a certified photo studio, professional photographer, or authorized retail location before your Burgeramt appointment:

1. The photographer takes your biometric photo following ICAO standards
2. They digitally transmit the photo through a secure, encrypted channel to government servers
3. You receive a QR code (printed or digital) -- valid for 6 months
4. Bring the QR code to your Burgeramt appointment

Important: You cannot email, text, or otherwise transfer a photo file to the government office. The QR code is the only accepted method of photo delivery.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Germany

• dm drogerie markt -- EUR 6 at photo kiosks in-store. Germany's largest drugstore chain has installed certified biometric photo kiosks at many locations. An employee assists with the process. You receive a QR code on the spot. This is the most affordable and widely available retail option.
• Professional photo studios (Fotostudios) -- EUR 10-20 depending on the city and studio. Professional photographers offer the highest quality and most reliable compliance. They transmit the photo digitally and provide both a QR code and printed copies (printed copies are for personal records only -- the Burgeramt will not accept them). Studios in major cities like Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg tend to charge EUR 15-20.
• On-site terminals at Burgeramter -- EUR 6 (cash only, coins or EUR 5 notes). Available at an increasing number of government offices, but not yet universal. Berlin's Landesamt fur Einwanderung (LEA) at Keplerstrasse has terminals installed. Check with your local Burgeramt before your appointment to confirm availability.
• Rossmann -- Some locations have certified photo kiosks similar to dm. Availability is expanding but not yet as widespread as dm.

Note: Traditional photo booths (the standalone booths in train stations and shopping centres) are no longer accepted for passport and ID applications. Their photos cannot be transmitted through the required secure digital channel.

Pricing context: Germany's digital-only system is slightly more expensive than the old paper photo method, but the EUR 6 at dm or a Burgeramt terminal is comparable to the price of the old-style photo booth (EUR 5-8) that is no longer accepted.

Photos for Babies and Children

Germany's digital-only system presents a particular challenge for photographing babies and young children, as self-service terminals are not practical for very young children. German authorities explicitly recommend having children under 6 photographed by a certified professional photographer before the appointment rather than attempting the on-site terminal.

Infants under 1 year:

• Eyes may be closed -- this is explicitly accepted
• Partially closed eyes or a naturally parted mouth are acceptable
• No crying, laughing, or visible strain
• The child must be the sole subject in the photo
• Lay the baby on a plain grey or white surface and photograph from above

Children under 5 years:

• Do not need to show a neutral expression -- natural expressions are accepted
• Do not need to center their head strictly or look directly at the camera
• Relaxed head positioning is permitted
• Face height range is wider: 22 to 36 mm (vs 32-36 mm for adults)

Children 6 years and older:

• Must follow full adult requirements: neutral expression, direct camera gaze, centered head, 32-36 mm face height

Practical recommendation from German authorities: Have babies and toddlers photographed at a certified photo studio before the Burgeramt appointment. The city of Jena and other municipalities explicitly advise that "it is generally not possible to take digital passport photos of babies and toddlers up to the age of 6 at the Immigration Office." Studios have the equipment and experience to get compliant photos of young children efficiently.

Common Rejection Reasons

German government offices check digital photos against biometric standards when the QR code is scanned. Non-compliant photos are flagged immediately at the appointment, which can delay or cancel the application.

1. Wearing glasses -- Germany does not permit any eyewear in passport photos. Prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses are all rejected with no exceptions. This is one of the most common issues, particularly for applicants who are unaware of the rule.
2. Incorrect background -- While light grey is preferred, the key requirement is uniformity. Shadows on the background, uneven colouring, or visible objects or textures cause rejection. Pure white can lack sufficient contrast for very fair-skinned subjects.
3. Shadows on the face -- Uneven lighting creating shadows under the eyes, nose, or chin. Professional studios use multiple light sources to eliminate shadows; on-site terminals are calibrated for even lighting.
4. Non-neutral expression -- Smiling, open mouth, laughing, squinting, or raised eyebrows (for subjects over 5 years old). The biometric system requires a neutral face geometry for matching.
5. Incorrect face height -- Face height outside the 32-36 mm range for adults. This is particularly common with on-site terminals if the subject is positioned too close or too far from the camera.
6. Photo older than 6 months -- Both the photo capture date and the QR code validity (6 months) are tracked. An expired QR code will not be accepted.
7. Hair covering the face or eyes -- Bangs, loose hair, or hairstyles that partially obscure the forehead, eyes, or ears.

Digital vs Print Submission

Digital (the only accepted method since July 31, 2025):

• Photos are transmitted from certified photographers or on-site terminals directly to secure government servers via encrypted channels
• The applicant receives a QR code (printed or on a smartphone)
• The QR code is scanned at the Burgeramt to retrieve the photo
• QR codes are valid for 6 months and can be used for multiple document applications (passport and ID card, for example)
• There is no option to upload a photo file, email a photo, or bring a USB drive

Print (no longer accepted):

• As of July 31, 2025, paper passport photos are not accepted at any Burgeramt in Germany
• This applies to passports, ID cards, and residence permits
• Printed copies from certified photographers are for personal records only

Exceptions to the digital-only rule:

• Residence permits for Ukrainian refugees under temporary protection
• Temporary suspension of deportation status (Duldung)
• Certain humanitarian document categories
• German consulates and embassies abroad may have different procedures depending on their technical capabilities

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I bring a printed passport photo to the Burgeramt? A: No. Since July 31, 2025, German government offices only accept digital photos transmitted via the secure QR code system. You need either a QR code from a certified photographer or must use the on-site photo terminal at the Burgeramt.

Q: Where do I get the QR code for my passport photo? A: From a certified photographer, a dm drugstore photo kiosk (EUR 6), or an on-site terminal at the Burgeramt (EUR 6). The photographer or terminal captures your biometric photo, transmits it to secure government servers, and provides you with a QR code.

Q: How long is the QR code valid? A: The QR code is valid for 6 months from the date the photo was taken. It can be used for multiple document applications within that period -- for example, both a passport and an ID card.

Q: Can I take a passport photo at a traditional photo booth? A: No. Traditional photo booths in train stations and shopping centres are no longer accepted for German passport, ID card, or residence permit applications. Only certified digital transmission providers are accepted.

Q: Can I wear glasses in my German passport photo? A: No. Germany does not permit glasses in passport photos under any circumstances. There are no medical exceptions. Remove all eyewear before the photo is taken.

Q: How do I get a passport photo for my baby? A: German authorities recommend having babies and children under 6 photographed at a certified photo studio before your Burgeramt appointment. On-site terminals at government offices are not practical for very young children. The studio will provide a QR code. Babies under 1 may have their eyes closed, and children under 5 do not need a perfectly neutral expression.

Q: Why did Germany switch to digital-only passport photos? A: The primary reason is to prevent photo morphing -- a fraud technique where two or more facial images are merged to create a document photo that passes biometric checks for multiple people. Digital-only transmission from certified sources, with encrypted channels and no physical handling, eliminates the opportunity for tampering between photo capture and government receipt.