Germany enforces one of the strictest biometric passport photo standards in Europe. Here are the exact specifications used by the Bundesdruckerei and every Bürgeramt—plus a free tool that produces a compliant 35x45mm Reisepass photo in under a minute.
If you're applying for a new Reisepass, renewing an expired one, or requesting a Kinderreisepass for a child, the same biometric photo rules apply nationwide. The German passport photo standard is tighter than most—particularly around the 32–36mm face-height range, the prohibition on glasses, and the preference for a light grey background rather than pure white.
Bürgeramt staff in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, and Frankfurt are trained to spot non-compliant photos at intake, so a small error—a smile, a slightly tilted head, a shadow on the wall—means walking back out to find a Fotograf. Knowing the exact spec before you sit down for the photo saves an unnecessary appointment.
Germany requires the photo to be biometric-grade: head perfectly straight, face centred, eyes on a horizontal line, and chin-to-crown distance between 32 and 36 millimetres. Standard passport photos from older templates often fail this face-height rule.
You don't need a Fotostudio in Mitte or a DM photo booth to get a compliant German passport photo. Upload any clear, front-facing image and ClonyPDF's Passport Photo Maker reshapes it to the exact 35x45mm biometric format, sets the 32–36mm face height, and applies a neutral light background.
Everything runs in your browser—no account, no watermark, no download cap. You'll get a digital file for online appointments and a 10x15cm print sheet you can hand to any local printer or drop into a Rossmann photo machine.
Upload your photo and our Passport Photo Maker automatically:
These specifications are drawn from the Bundesdruckerei's official "Foto-Mustertafel" (photo template) used at every Bürgeramt and Passamt across Germany. They apply to the Reisepass, Personalausweis, and Kinderreisepass equally.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35 x 45 mm (3.5 cm × 4.5 cm) |
| Width | 35 mm (approx. 413 px at 300 DPI) |
| Height | 45 mm (approx. 531 px at 300 DPI) |
| Background | Light grey, off-white, or pale uniform colour |
| Face height (chin to crown) | 32–36 mm |
| Head position | Frontal, straight, no tilt or rotation |
| Eye line | Roughly 27–34 mm from bottom edge |
| Resolution | 600 DPI recommended (minimum 300 DPI) |
| File format | JPEG, no compression artefacts |
| Colour | Full colour, sharp, no filters or beautification |
| Glasses | Not permitted (since 1 November 2020) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open |
| Head coverings | Only for religious reasons; full face must be visible |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Print quality | Matte or semi-matte paper, no creases |
The Bundesdruckerei face-positioning rule is what trips up most amateur photographers. The face must measure between 32 and 36 millimetres from chin to crown inside the 45mm-tall frame, leaving narrow margins above the head and below the chin.
If you're working in Photoshop, Affinity, or Canva, use the conversion chart below to set your canvas size correctly for a German biometric photo.
The most common reason for rejection in Germany since 2020. Even thin frames or reflection-free lenses are flagged at intake.
Face measuring under 32 mm or over 36 mm chin-to-crown breaks the biometric rule and is automatically returned.
While increasingly accepted, some Bürgeramt offices still prefer a clearly light grey background. Cream or off-white is safest.
Any visible teeth or raised cheeks cause the biometric facial-recognition algorithm to fail. Mouth must be relaxed and closed.
Yellow indoor lighting distorts skin tone, while harsh light creates shadows that mask facial geometry.
Even a 5° tilt of the head will fail biometric verification. The eyes must sit on a perfectly horizontal line.
Phone front cameras flatten facial features. Use the rear camera or have someone else take the photo.
Anything older than six months—or that no longer reflects your current appearance—will be refused at the counter.
A German passport photo (biometrisches Passbild) is 35x45mm (3.5cm wide by 4.5cm tall) with a light grey or off-white background. The face must measure 32–36mm from chin to crown and fill roughly 70–80% of the frame.
The Bundesdruckerei accepts a light, single-coloured background—typically light grey, off-white, or pale blue. Pure white is widely accepted today, but patterned, dark, or coloured backgrounds will be rejected.
Yes. Photograph yourself against a light grey wall in even daylight, then upload the image here. The Passport Photo Maker auto-crops it to the exact 35x45mm Reisepass dimensions with the correct face-height ratio.
No. Since November 2020, glasses are not permitted in German biometric passport photos. Both eyes must be clearly visible without reflections, frames, or tinted lenses—even prescription glasses must be removed.
Yes. A modern smartphone has more than enough resolution. Use the rear camera, stand around 1.5 metres from a light wall in soft daylight, and let the tool resize and crop the image to 35x45mm.
The photo must be taken within the last 6 months and reflect your current appearance. Major changes—new beard, significant weight change, or different hairstyle—mean a new photo is required.
No. German biometric standards require a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or showing teeth will cause the facial-recognition check at the Bürgeramt to fail.
The dimensions are identical—both use 35x45mm. However, the Schengen visa photo accepts a wider range of light backgrounds, while German biometric passport photos prefer light grey or off-white and enforce the 32–36mm face-height rule more strictly. See our Schengen visa photo guide for the differences.
Get a Bundesdruckerei-compliant 35x45mm biometric passport photo with the correct face height and light background in under a minute—free, watermark-free, and ready for your next Bürgeramt appointment.
Create Germany Passport Photo Size