Schengen Generic
Germany Passport Photo 35x45mm Online Tool
German passport photo rules: 35x45mm, head 70-80% of the frame, plain light background. Since 1 May 2025 offices in Germany use only a photo from their own machine or a registered studio; a printed photo is still accepted at German missions abroad.
Last updated Oct 7, 2026
Verified against the official source · Oct 7, 2026Read This First: Who Can Still Bring Their Own Photo
Since 1 May 2025, passport offices inside Germany no longer accept paper photos. The photo is taken at the office or by a registered photo studio that uploads it to a secure cloud. German embassies and consulates abroad still accept a conventional printed photo, 45mm high by 35mm wide, until they have their own capture equipment.
- Applying in Germany: use the office's photo machine or a registered studio.
- Applying at a German mission abroad: a printed 35x45mm photo is still accepted, and this checker applies.
Germany Passport Photo Requirements
The biometric requirements are the same wherever the photo is taken.
- 35mm x 45mm portrait, no border.
- Head 70-80% of the image height, chin to crown.
- Plain, light, evenly lit background with no shadows.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible.
Photo Examples
Pass example
Correct photo
Common rejection risk
Incorrect photo
Real Germany Passport Photo Rejection Data
38.0% of Germany Passport Photo photos were rejected on first submission, based on 234 checks run through VisaPhotoCheck.
Most common reasons a rejected photo failed
- Crop or framing39%
- Accessories (glasses, hats, headphones)28%
- Expression13%
- Head pose or angle13%
- Photo authenticity11%
- Lighting or shadows10%
- Resolution3%
- sharpness2%
- Background1%
Each figure is the share of rejected Germany Passport Photo photos that failed that specific check. A single rejection often fails more than one check, so these do not add up to 100%.
Based on VisaPhotoCheck's own Germany Passport Photo submissions — this reflects our users, not an official or industry-wide rejection rate.
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