Biometric photo requirements in Germany

Size and head height

35 × 45 mm portrait; the head from chin to crown 32–36 mm, centred.

Background and lighting

Plain, light, without patterns or shadows; the face evenly lit, without shine or red eyes.

• Plain background, ideally light grey, contrasting with face and hair
• No shadows on the face or background
• Sharp, natural skin tones, no filters

Expression: may you smile?

No. The expression must be neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking into the camera.

Glasses, headscarf and head covering

Glasses are allowed if the eyes are clearly visible – no tinted lenses, no glare, the frame not across the eyes. Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the face visible from chin to forehead.

What should a passport photo look like? The essentials

• 35 × 45 mm portrait, head 32–36 mm from chin to crown
• Frontal, head straight, looking into the camera
• Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
• Plain light background without shadows
• Sharp, evenly lit, natural colours

The most common reasons for rejection

• Head too small or too large in the frame
• Head tilted or turned
• Shadows or a busy background
• Smiling or open mouth
• Glare on glasses
• Blurred or heavily compressed (e.g. sent via a messenger)

Have your photo checked automatically

Upload your photo in the tool above: FotoKlar measures head size, eye height, pose, light and background and shows what to change.