In short
The German health insurance card needs a recent, frontal photo with the face clearly visible against a neutral background, usually in passport size 35 × 45 mm. Insurers such as AOK, TK and Barmer say it does not have to be biometric. You upload it in the insurer’s portal or via the link in their letter; children under 15 get a card without a photo.
Last updated: · FotoKlar editorial team
What are the requirements for the health card photo?
Recent, frontal, clearly recognisable, neutral background – a biometric photo is not required.
| Insurer | Size | Notes from the insurer |
|---|---|---|
| AOK | 35 × 45 mm | Face 70–80% of the image, centred, neutral background, not biometric |
| TK | 35 × 45 mm | Digital 300 × 400 px, jpg/png/bmp, colour or black and white, no hat |
| Barmer | — | Face 70–80% of the height, even light, no other people, not biometric |
Create the photo in 3 steps
- 1Take a photo in daylight, facing the camera, or upload one in the tool above.
- 2Choose “Health insurance card”. We crop to 35 × 45 mm and replace the background.
- 3Download the file and upload it to your insurer.
How to upload the photo to your insurer
Most insurers send a letter with a code or link; you then upload the photo online or send it by post.
- AOK: upload in the “Meine AOK” portal (recommended) or by post; the routes differ by regional AOK.
- TK: upload with the ten-digit one-time password from the letter, or in “Meine TK”.
- Barmer: upload at lichtbild.barmer.de with the order number from the letter and your date of birth – no login needed.
- DAK: upload on DAK’s website with your insurance number, or by post.
- hkk: upload online or in the hkk Service-App, or a print on the reply form from the letter.
- Other insurers: follow the instructions in their letter or online portal.
When do I need a new photo?
Usually only when your insurer asks for one. TK, for example, says a new photo is only needed every ten years.
By law insurers may store the photo for the duration of your membership, but for no more than ten years, for replacement and follow-up cards (§ 291a SGB V).
Exceptions: children under 15 and people who cannot take part
Children under 15 and insured people who cannot take part in taking the photo receive a card without a photo (§ 291a para. 5 SGB V).
Sources
- AOK: the photo for your electronic health card – checked 21/10/2026
- TK: what the photo must look like – checked 21/10/2026
- TK: submitting the photo for the insurance card – checked 21/10/2026
- Barmer: photo for the health card – checked 21/10/2026
- § 291a SGB V (photo on the health card) – checked 21/10/2026