Quick spec
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Head height | 32–36 mm, chin to top of head |
| Background | Light grey preferred (white often accepted) |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months |
Germany's biometric passport photo (Passbild) follows the same 35 × 45 mm format used across much of Europe, but German authorities apply it more strictly than most — the photo is checked against an automated biometric standard, not just a human reviewer's judgement, and two significant rule changes since 2024 catch people relying on older advice.
Glasses are no longer allowed
As of 2024, glasses are not permitted in a German biometric passport photo at all — a tightening of the ICAO biometric standard that Germany has adopted strictly. If you normally wear glasses, remove them for this photo; there's no glare-free or clear-lens exception here the way there sometimes is for other countries' standard (non-biometric) photo rules.
Most applications are now digital-only
Since 1 May 2025, the standard route for a Reisepass or Personalausweis application uses a digital biometric photo taken directly at the Bürgeramt or transmitted electronically by an approved photo service — not a printed photo handed over at the counter. If you're applying for one of these two documents, check whether your local authority still accepts a printed photo before assuming it does. Printed photos remain more commonly used for Schengen visa applications submitted through an embassy or visa centre.
Background: light grey, not necessarily white
German guidance leans toward a uniform light grey background rather than the pure white common in other countries — some sources cite a specific pale grey tone. Plain white is often still accepted in practice, but light grey is the safer default if you're photographing at home rather than at an official Fotoautomat or studio that already uses the correct backdrop.
Head position and expression
The face and head, measured from the chin to the top of the head, should fill approximately 70–80% of the frame — the same 32–36 mm range as several neighbouring countries. A completely neutral expression is required: mouth closed, no smiling, both eyes open and looking directly at the camera, with even lighting and no shadow on either side of the face.
Align to the 35 × 45 mm frame and 32–36 mm head-height guide before your Bürgeramt appointment.
Open the photo toolReligious head coverings
A religious head covering is permitted, but Germany specifically requires a signed declaration (Religionserklärung) submitted alongside the application. The covering itself must be plain, contrast clearly with the background, and leave the full face visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, with no shadow across the face.
Where Germans actually get this photo taken
Self-service Fotoautomat booths at train stations and shopping centres, and photo counters at drugstores like dm or Rossmann, are the most common routes — typically €6–12 for a full biometric set, with most newer machines offering an English option. These already produce a compliant digital or printed result, so a DIY photo is mainly useful as a backup or for checking your framing before an appointment.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a German passport photo (Passbild)?
35 × 45 mm — the same biometric photo format used for the Reisepass (passport), Personalausweis (national ID card), and most Schengen visa applications from Germany.
Can you wear glasses in a German biometric passport photo?
No — as of 2024, glasses are no longer permitted in German biometric passport photos, in line with the tightened ICAO biometric standard.
Do I still need a printed passport photo in Germany?
For most Reisepass and Personalausweis applications, no — since 1 May 2025, these are handled through a digital biometric photo taken at the authority or transmitted electronically by an approved photo provider. Printed photos are still commonly used for Schengen visa applications submitted through an embassy or visa centre.
Requirements are set by German federal authorities (BMI, Bundesdruckerei) and can change — this page is a practical summary rather than an official source. Confirm current detail with your local Bürgeramt before your appointment.