German passport photo requirements (35×45 mm)

Educational summary for travelers and applicants; not legal advice. Compare every detail with the issuing authority’s current checklist before you submit.

German passport photos must meet Bundesdruckerei / passport office specifications. This summary aligns with our 35×45 mm preset; confirm details with official sources. The My New ID Photo preset for this document is 35×45 mm, matching the dimensions in our built-in specification table.

Biometric standards

The photograph is 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. Your face must occupy a defined proportion of the height (follow the official template). The image must be high contrast, color, and suitable for facial recognition.

Face, glasses, and hair

Look straight into the camera. Eyes open and clearly visible; eyebrows must not be covered. Reflection-free glasses if worn; tinted lenses are not allowed. Head coverings only for religious reasons if the face remains fully visible from chin to forehead.

Background and lighting

Neutral grey background without shadows or patterns. Even illumination; no “hot spots” on the face. No other persons or objects in the frame.

Making this photo in My New ID Photo

Select Germany and Passport. The preset is 35×45 mm with neutral grey background—use background replacement if your wall is not evenly lit. Face the camera directly; keep eyebrows and cheek lines visible for biometric capture. Print on high-quality photo paper if you must submit a physical copy.

Official sources

The following links point to official or primary sources we use to summarize size, composition, and quality rules. Third-party pages are listed only when they reproduce the same standards (for example ICAO). Always read the latest version on the authority’s site before you submit an application.

Disclaimer: Requirements change. Verify dimensions, file format, and expression rules on the official source linked from your application portal before submission.

Open the generator, browse all country guides, or read the general requirements overview.