Germany Passport Photo Requirements & Guidelines

Germany has one of the most exacting passport photo standards in Europe, and the single biggest surprise for applicants is the background: a white background is not accepted. A photo that would pass in the US or UK is regularly rejected in Germany over its background, glasses, or a head that is the wrong size in the frame.

This guide breaks down every current Germany passport photo rule for 2026 — the 35 × 45 mm biometric size, the required light grey background, the no-glasses rule, and the strict neutral-expression standard set for the *biometrisches Passbild*.

Germany Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance

Here are the core specifications for the German biometric passport photo:

Get any one of these wrong and the photo can be rejected, so it is worth checking each before you submit.

Passport Photo Dimensions and Head Position Rules

Exact Passport Size Photo Dimensions

The finished photo must be 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall in a portrait format — the European biometric standard. For digital submissions, that maps to 413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI.

Head Size, Placement, and Photo Measurement

Your face must be perfectly centred and fill 70–80% of the photo height, with the head measuring about 32–36 mm from chin to crown. Your head must be straight — not tilted, turned, or rotated — with the line between your eyes horizontal and your face squared to the camera.

Getting these millimetres right by hand is where most people slip up. The simplest fix is to create your Germany passport photo with a tool that crops and resizes to the exact biometric spec automatically.

Background Requirements

Why white is rejected

Unlike most countries, Germany does not accept a white background. The required background is a uniform light grey at roughly 70–80% brightness on a neutral grey scale, which gives the face clear contrast for biometric checks.

Common background mistakes

• Using a plain white background (a frequent rejection)
• Coloured, patterned, or textured walls
• Shadows falling behind the head from uneven lighting
• A grey that is too dark or unevenly lit

Pose, Expression, and Lighting Rules

Expression and eyes

Your expression must be completely neutral — no smile, no raised eyebrows, mouth closed. Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera.

Lighting

The face must be evenly lit with no shadows on either side or under the chin. Keep your hair clear of your eyes and make sure both edges of your face are visible.

New for 2024: Glasses Are No Longer Allowed

What changed

Since 2024, glasses are not permitted in new German passport photos. This removed the older allowance for thin, non-reflective frames.

What it means for you

You must remove all eyewear before the photo is taken. The only exception is a documented medical need, and even then the eyes must be fully visible with no glare, tint, or frames covering them.

Glasses, Head Coverings, and Other Passport Photo Criteria

Head coverings

Head coverings are not allowed unless worn for documented religious reasons. Even then, the full face must be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, with both edges of the face clear.

Other restrictions

No hats, headphones, or wireless devices, and no filters or retouching that change your appearance. The photo must be a true, current likeness.

Digital vs. Printed Passport Photo Specifications

Printed photo

For in-person lodgement, bring a recent 35 × 45 mm biometric colour print on photo-quality paper with the correct light grey background.

Digital photo

Where a digital biometric photo is captured or uploaded, it must be a 413 × 531 pixel file at 300 DPI, with the same grey background, neutral expression, and 70–80% face coverage. Only the delivery format changes.

Top Reasons Germany Passport Photos Get Rejected

• White background instead of the required light grey
• Head too small or too large — outside the 70–80% face coverage
• Glasses left on (no longer allowed since 2024)
• Any expression other than neutral — smiling or raised eyebrows
• Head tilted or turned rather than straight to camera
• Shadows on the face or background
• Old photos taken more than six months ago

How to Meet Germany's Passport Picture Requirements at Home

1. Stand 2–3 feet from a plain, evenly lit wall — you will correct the background to light grey afterwards.
2. Have someone photograph you at eye level from about 4 feet away, or use a tripod and timer.
3. Face the camera directly with a strictly neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, and no glasses.
4. Keep your head straight, with the line between your eyes level.
5. Upload it to a tool that sets the light grey background and crops to the exact 35 × 45 mm biometric spec.
6. Download a 413 × 531 px, 300 DPI file for digital use, or print it for in-person lodgement.

Beyond Germany: Other Countries' Requirements

Specifications differ widely between countries — Germany's light grey background is unusual, while the US uses a white 2 x 2 inch square and Canada a 50 x 70 mm photo. If you travel or apply internationally, you can check the rules and generate a compliant photo using our passport photo tool for 150+ countries.

Conclusion

A compliant Germany passport photo comes down to three things: the 35 × 45 mm biometric size with a 70–80% head ratio, a light grey background (never white), and a strictly neutral, glasses-free photo taken within the last six months. Nail those and you avoid the most common rejection reasons.