Germany Passport Photo Requirements & Maker (35x45 mm)
Official German biometric passport photo guidelines: 35x45 mm, 32-36 mm face, light grey background. Free generator for passport, ID & driving license.
Official Photo Specifications
Requirements shown are for reference only. Always verify the latest requirements with the official source before submitting your application. This platform is an independent tool and is not affiliated with any government authority. Read full disclaimer →
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Upload your photo to crop to exact dimensions, adjust the background to white, and download a printable A4 sheet or digital JPEG.
Upload Your Germany Passport Photo
Target preset: Germany Photo (35x45 mm) (35 × 45 mm)
About Germany Passport Photo (35x45 mm) Requirements
German biometric passport photographs (Passbild according to the official Fotomustertafel by BMI and Bundesdruckerei) must adhere strictly to the 35 mm x 45 mm dimension standard.
The face height between the chin tip and crown must measure between 32 mm and 36 mm (70% to 80% of the total height). The background must be a solid, monochromatic plain light grey (hellgrau) providing distinct contrast without shadows, textures, or gradient illumination.
Common Reasons for Rejection
Official document processing centres and digital verification algorithms frequently reject photographs due to the following non-compliance issues:
- 1
Head size outside the 32–36 mm biometric template tolerance of the Fotomustertafel
- 2
Background not monochromatic light grey or containing cast shadows and gradients
- 3
Mouth open, teeth visible, or non-neutral facial expression (smiling is strictly forbidden)
- 4
Hair bangs covering eyebrows or eyes, or side hair obscuring facial oval
- 5
Flash reflection on eyeglasses or thick frames obstructing eye contours
- 6
Insufficient sharpness, poor contrast, or low-resolution paper printouts
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the official dimensions and format for a German biometric passport photo?
- The official biometric format required in Germany is 35 mm in width and 45 mm in height. The face height from the bottom of the chin to the crown must measure between 32 mm and 36 mm, with a top margin of approximately 5 mm above the head. This format applies to passports, national identity cards (Personalausweis), and driving licenses (Führerschein).
- Can I take my German passport photo myself at home, and how does online creation work?
- Yes, you can take your passport photo yourself at home using your smartphone or digital camera against a plain, light wall. Our browser-based generator checks compliance with the official Fotomustertafel template and crops your image with millimeter accuracy without requiring you to install any app.
- What is a digital biometric passport photo, and where is it accepted in Germany?
- A digital biometric passport photo is a compliant JPEG file meeting ICAO and BMI standards. While German Bürgerämter are transitioning to certified digital transmissions for passports and ID cards, printed physical photo sheets remain standard for driving licenses, health cards, and international visas. Our tool provides both digital files and printable A4 PDF templates.
- Where can I get passport photos near me, and how does this compare to drugstore printing (dm)?
- Citizens often visit photo booths or drugstore kiosks such as dm or Rossmann, where instant passport photo sets cost around €6 to €8. By using our free online generator, you can prepare the template at home and print it at dm as a standard 10x15 cm photo for just a few cents.
- What special rules apply for baby and infant passport photos in Germany?
- For babies and children under 6 years of age, relaxed exemptions apply: direct gaze into the lens and a strictly neutral expression are not required. However, the child's eyes must be open, and no parent's hands, supporting pillows, or toys may be visible. Laying the infant on a plain light grey or white sheet is the easiest method.
- Does the same biometric format apply to German driving licenses (Führerschein)?
- Yes. The German EU-format driving license (Kartenführerschein) requires the identical 35x45 mm biometric photo format, with head height between 32 mm and 36 mm and a neutral facial expression.
- Do I need to download a specialized passport photo app?
- No app download is needed. Our online generator runs directly in your web browser on mobile or desktop, processes your photo locally for complete privacy, and generates a printable A4 PDF sheet free of charge.