It is reported that more than 30% of German passport applications face delays due to non-compliant photos. German passports are recognized as some of the world’s most powerful passports. Therefore, to help with identification and avoid fraud, the German government enforces strict standards on supporting documents.
Whether you are renewing or applying for the first time, a compliant biometric passport photo is needed. This article will explain the 2025 German passport photo requirements and introduce a reliable passport photo creator.
What Is A Passport Photo?
A passport photo is more than a simple snapshot. It’s an essential biometric feature used to verify your identity, working the same way as fingerprint and iris recognition. A standardized passport format photo must present the true and recent look of the applicant to ensure facial recognition systems work seamlessly. Therefore, passport-size photo measurements, lighting, expression, etc., are non-negotiable.
German Passport Photo Size Requirements 2025
A qualified German passport picture must be recently taken, clear, clean, and undamaged. Here are the specific German passport photo requirements. The German passport photo size must be 35×45 mm, with your face occupying 70-80% of the frame. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
- Passport Size Photo Measurement
The whole picture must be 35 mm (width) x 45 mm (height), which is equivalent to 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm or 1.38 inches x 1.77 inches.
- Resolution
The digital format should be at least 600 dpi, meaning approximately 827 pixels in width and 1063 pixels in height.
- Head Measurement
The full face must be visible and occupy about 70% to 80% of the photo, measuring about 32-36 mm from the chin to the top of the head.
- Face Position
The person must face forward with the head centered within the frame. Do not tilt the head, turn sideways, or look up/down.
- Background
The background must be plain light gray or off-white. There must not be shadows, patterns, irrelevant items and persons.
- Color
Either a colored or black-and-white biometric passport photo is acceptable. If you submit a colored one, make sure it has proper color balance and shows natural skin tones.
- Lighting
The photo must be taken under sufficient and uniform lighting to avoid shadows, reflections, and “red-eye” effects. Out-of-focus, under-exposed, or over-exposed pictures will be rejected.
- Facial Expressions
A neutral expression is required. The eyes must be open and uncovered by hair or glasses, while the mouth must be closed. Do not show exaggerated facial expressions or look around.
- Infants and Children (Under 9 Years Old)
The child’s face can measure about 22-36 mm vertically, occupying about 50-80% of the photo. Those under 5 are allowed not to show a completely neutral expression or center their head. Babies under one year old can have their eyes closed.
Dress Code for German Passport Photos 2025
What you wear in a passport-format photo also determines whether it will be accepted, ranging from headwear to clothes.
- Clothing Guidelines
Everyday attire in neutral colors, for example, solid black, navy blue, or other modest colors contrasting with the background, is recommended.
- Head Coverings
Only religious hijabs, turbans, or other similar religious attire are permitted if they are worn in daily life, but they must not cover the face, have the same color as the background, or cast shadows on the face.
- Glasses
Prescription glasses are allowed as long as they don’t cover the eyes or generate glare. The frames should not obscure eye corners or eyebrows.
- Accessories
Accessories and jewelry are not prohibited, but not recommended. If you do want to wear it, keep it simple and inconspicuous.
To help you figure out what to wear and what not to wear, here is a quick recap.
| Dress Code | Allowed | Avoid |
| Clothing | Collared shirts or blouses in plain color | Uniforms, costumes, or clothing with logos/patterns |
| Head Coverings | Religious head coverings without obscuring the face | Hats, caps, headbands, headphones, or other decorative headwear |
| Glasses | Prescription glasses (no glare) | Sunglasses or tinted lenses |
| Accessories | Small earrings or necklaces | Oversized or flashy jewelry |
Background Requirements for 2025 Passport Photos
Background errors are a leading cause of rejection. To fix an unqualified passport photo background and ensure a qualified background, your German passport photo should follow these rules.
- Color: light gray (more suitable for dark-colored hair) or off-white (more ideal for light-colored hair).
- Contrast: obvious contrasts with the person’s hair and clothing.
- Texture: smooth, no patterns, shadows, or objects (for example, toys for babies).
- Distance: about 1.5 meters from the wall to prevent shadows.
It is advised to take pictures in front of a clean white wall or screen. If you cannot find one, turn to an AI passport photo creator to replace non-compliant backgrounds digitally.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Taking German Passport Photos
Learning about the German passport photo requirements does not mean you can take a perfect picture now. Even professional photographers make mistakes. Whether you are going to a studio or planning to take a shot at home, you should not make the same mistakes as follows.
- Incorrect size of passport-size photo: Cropping too tightly or loosely.
- Distorting face: Smile, close eyes, frown, spout, or grimace.
- Glare: reflection from glasses lenses, accessories, jewelry, or oily cosmetics.
- Busy patterns: stripes, plaid, logos, or eye-catching patterns on clothes or religious veils.
- Improper dressing: white, creamy, or other similar colors to the background; off-shoulder tops, sleeveless tops, etc.
- Poor lighting setting: dark and bright contrast, underexposure, overexposure, or red-eye effects.
- Old or damaged photos: photos taken more than 6 months ago; photos with creases, marks, or stains.
- Accessories: hats, large jewelry, sunglasses, and tinted contact lenses.
- Wrong position: tilt the head, look sideways, or shrug shoulders.
- Low resolution: Blurry or pixelated images.
How to Take a Compliant German Passport Photo at Home
With a smartphone, tripod, clean wall, and a room where natural lighting comes in, it is possible to take a biometric passport photo at home through the steps below.
- Check your Equipment
Your mobile phone or digital camera should have a high-definition lens. The tripod is used to stabilize your camera if you take photos without anyone else to help, as selfies are not recommended.
- Adjust Lighting
Natural light from a window is ideal, but do not stand in the sun directly or take photos at dawn. Alternatively, you can also set two lamps on both sides of the subject and shine at 45-degree angles. Make sure the light does not alter your true skin color.
- Set the Camera
The camera should be at the same height as the subject’s eye level to take a frontal view. It is suggested to keep a distance of 1.5 meters away.
- Pose Properly
Stand or sit relaxed in front of the camera, face forward, hold the head upright, and keep a neutral facial expression. When taking a biometric passport photo of babies, lay them on a white sheet and shoot from above.
- Capture Snapshots
Turn on the Burst Mode to take multiple shots so you can select the best one. If you do that on your own, use a Bluetooth remote or set a timer.
How to Make a 35×45 mm German Passport Photo with AI
After taking a passport photo at home, adjusting the photo size is the final essential step, which can be done automatically with our AI passport photo cropping tool, AiPassportPhotos. Most importantly, it can create a passport photo online for free and ensure photo compliance. Let’s see how to use it.
- Go to AiPassportPhotos to make passport photos for passport.
- Click on the “Upload a Photo” button.
- Choose the photo and upload it.
- Wait for the tool to scan the photo, resize it, and fix the background.
- The photo is ready to be downloaded within a few seconds.
- Save the digital copy and print it out at a photo store or retail store.
FAQ
What are the dimensions of a passport photo?
The passport photo size should be 35×45 mm, and the face height should be 32-36 mm (for adults) or 22-36 mm (for young children).
Can I smile in a German passport photo?
No, smiling is not allowed in German passport photos. You are required to show a neutral expression.
Are baby photos allowed to have toys in the frame?
No. You can use toys to attract the baby’s attention, but they must not appear in the photo.
How to take an infant passport photo at home?
Taking passport photos for infants can be easy. Lay the baby on a white sheet, shoot from above, and adjust the photo size with AI passport photo creator.
Can I make an Indian passport-sized photo online?
Yes. AiPassportPhotos has hundreds of photo templates, including making Indian passport photos.
How to check if my biometric passport photo is valid?
You can check it against the German passport photo requirements manually or upload it to an online checker for passport photos.
Where can I take a passport-size photo near me?
You can go to a physical photo store, such as professional photo studios, automated photo booths at the shopping mall, train stations, airports, pharmacies like Walgreens, or post offices. If you can’t find one, just make it at home with our passport photo creator.
How can I find a photo studio near me for a passport?
You can search for a studio on Google Maps or social media. It is suggested to check whether they can provide passport photo services before visiting.
Conclusion
German passport photo rules demand precision. From the perfect German passport photo size to the dress code, every detail matters. With the right tools, you can make a perfect biometric passport photo at home and avoid delays effortlessly. If you decide to take a passport picture at home, we hope this guide will help you get one quickly and easily.