Convert your selfie into a compliant German passport photo size online for free. Just upload a picture to the PhotoGov online photo-making tool, and download a ready-for-application image in 30 seconds.
PhotoGov is an independent service. We are not affiliated with any government, embassy, or consulate. All information on this website is based on official government requirements and verified primary sources. Final acceptance is determined solely by the issuing authority.
Turn your selfie into a 35 x 45 mm photo online for free, compliant with all biometric requirements of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) for passports and visas. Upload your image and follow the steps below.
After you upload your portrait to the PhotoGov Germany photo edit tool, it adjusts it to 100% compliance with the official German identity document guidelines, including crop frame, correct proportions, and background removal, if applicable. Your 35 x 45 mm photo online is free and ready in under 30 seconds.
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Get your German passport photo size 35x45 mm.
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Authored by:
John Bates (Travel/Visa expert)
On THIS PAGE:
German passport photo requirements are defined by the Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community (Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat, BMI), and the authorities responsible for issuing the national identity card (Personalausweisportal / Bundesdruckerei). Their guidelines follow the biometric principles set out in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303, and these standards are reflected in the official photo examples published by the German authorities.
Meeting these requirements is essential for any German passport, visa, or residence application. The PhotoGov Germany photo edit tool prepares your portrait in the correct 35×45-mm format and applies the necessary background, proportions, and positioning. The final image follows the requirements below:
Most German authorities request one biometric photo; certain applications may require two copies depending on the issuing office.
The visa, ID, or passport photo must be taken within the past six months and reflect the applicant’s current appearance without significant changes.
The standard passport photo size is 35×45 mm, with the head height set between 32 and 36 mm from chin to crown.
Only color photographs are accepted for German passports and visas; black-and-white images do not meet the standard.
The background must be uniform and light — white, off-white, or very light grey — without patterns, gradients, or visible shadows.
Soft, even lighting is required to preserve natural skin tone and prevent shadows or glare on the face or background.
The face centered and directed straight toward the camera, fully visible, with level shoulders and no decorative borders.
A neutral expression is required, with eyes open and mouth closed; smiling or exaggerated expressions fall outside the biometric rules.
Outfit options are limited to everyday clothing, in colors contrasting with the light background, and free of large logos. No military wear or camouflage is allowed on ID pictures. Head coverings are accepted only for continuous medical or religious purposes and must leave the full face visible.
Clear-lens glasses are allowed as long as the eyes remain fully visible and free of glare or flash reflections. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are not permitted.
The photo must be sharp and well-exposed. Digital submissions typically require at least 300 DPI digital file and must fall within the size limits set by German authorities; a printable image must be produced on a color printer and high-quality matte or glossy photo paper.
You can take a German ID or a passport photo in a wide range of everyday locations — from automated kiosks to professional studios. Each option has its pros and cons. Let's explore them in more detail.
Major German retailers such as dm, Müller, and Rossmann provide on-site biometric photo services. Their terminals and staffed counters produce images that adhere to the German 35×45-mm biometric standard used for ID, visa, and passport pictures.
Many Deutsche Post offices allow customers to print ID-compliant photos directly in the branch. For applicants who already plan to visit for mailing or application purposes, this can be a practical two-in-one stop.
Automated booths like FotoFix, PhotoMe, and CEWE are widespread in Germany. They are typically found in train stations, shopping centres, and larger supermarkets, and can produce biometric prints in the correct size within minutes.
A professional photographer or a studio is the most reliable way to get your German visa, ID, or passport photo. Proper setup, lighting, and adherence to the biometric ICAO standards — are the high standard of this in-person service. However, it requires time, a possible advance appointment, and the service can be quite pricey, up to €35.
With digital services like PhotoGov, you can create a German passport photo size 35×45-mm online without leaving your home. The system applies the official 35×45-mm layout to your portrait: the correct size, head positioning, and framing. Our German passport photo size online free tool works as a background remover, in case your original photo doesn't meet the biometric requirements. In under 30 seconds, you receive a digital image or a PDF crop page ready to be printed at home or with print service providers. The best thing? In many countries, the first image is free, allowing you to save money and making it an efficient alternative to an in-person visit.
Service | Time to Get a German Passport Photo Size 35 x 45 mm | Pricing | Chance of Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
Pharmacies & Drugstores (dm, Müller, Rossmann) | 10–20 minutes | €8–€15 | High–moderate |
Deutsche Post Locations | 10–20 minutes | €8–€15 | High–moderate |
Self-Service Photo Stations (FotoFix, PhotoMe, CEWE) | 5–10 minutes | €5–€10 | Moderate |
Professional Photo Studios | 1 hour to 1–2 days | €20–€35+ | High |
PhotoGov Germany Photo Edit Tool | Under 30 seconds | Free first photo; additional can cost from €5 | High |
24/7 Availability
Make your 35 x 45 mm photo online free, no studio visit.
Guaranteed Compliance
100% complianсе with the BMI ID photo guidelines.
Convenience
Works on any device, browser, or OS.
Transparency
No registration, installation, or hidden fees.
Today, with a convenient Germany photo edit tool like PhotoGov, you don't really need to spend time and extra money on professional studio visits. Using just your smartphone or a digital camera, you can take an acceptable portrait — and our platform will turn it into an application-ready, biometric-compliant photograph that meets the BMI and ICAO standards.
Choose a spot with soft, natural light — standing near a window works well — and use a plain, light background without shadows or visual distractions. This setup helps keep facial details clear and evenly illuminated.
Position the phone at eye level, about 40–50 cm from the face, and avoid flash or portrait mode, as both can distort the lighting and depth of the image.
Look directly into the camera with a neutral expression and take several photos to ensure you capture a sharp picture without any shadows, glare, or reflections.
Once the picture is ready, upload it to PhotoGov Germany photo editor. Choose the country and the photo type, and the system formats the image to the official 35×45-mm layout, adjusting head proportions and background tone.
Choose a download page in the PDF format (a single sheet with four pictures) for the photo printer, or download a digital file for online application.
Print passport photo on a high-quality matte or semi-matte photo paper. You are ready to submit your ID, visa, or passport photo!
German baby photo requirements follow the same standards used for adults, but the rules of acceptance are slightly less strict. Partially closed eyes or a naturally parted mouth are acceptable for infants. However, crying, laughing, or visible strain must be avoided. The baby needs to face the camera directly, and the facial features must be clearly visible. Follow these simple setup tips for a seamless home photo studio process, and our tool will convert the image into a proper ID or passport photo.
Uniform lighting from a natural source, plain background.
A newborn may lie on a blanket; older children — sit or stand.
Neutral facial expression, no crying or laughing.
No toys, parents’ hands, or other objects in the frame.
PhotoGov formats your portrait according to the specifications issued by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community, the Federal Foreign Office, and the biometric guidelines defined in ICAO Document 9303. The system calibrates background shade, adjusts head position and facial proportions, balances exposure, and applies the exact 35×45-mm layout used for German passports, visas, and identification document photographs. Every technical element — from the distance between facial landmarks to the brightness of the background — is aligned with the standards that German authorities use when reviewing ID photos.
For applicants who prefer a more thorough check, PhotoGov offers Human Verification. Our top compliance specialist examines the image manually, reviewing alignment, lighting, head size, background consistency, and biometric accuracy before the final file is released. This additional step gives users full confidence that their photo meets the requirements applied by German consular and passport offices.
The German passport photo size in cm is 3.5×4.5 cm with a head height of 3.2–3.6 cm.
Two printed passport size photos are commonly recommended; some submissions require only one passport photo.
Expect to pay around €8–€15 at pharmacies, shipping centers or retail stores. Hiring a photographer will cost more. Using the Germany photo edit tool PhotoGov is free of charge in most locations, and additional photos can cost as low as €5.
You can get a passport-size photo at pharmacies, post offices, shipping centers, or local photo studios. Many applicants choose online tools such as PhotoGov to save time and receive a ready-to-use image without visiting a physical location.
Yes. Online passport photos are accepted in Germany as long as they meet the full biometric requirements and match the official 35×45-mm standard.
Yes, you can make make passport size photo online free.
With PhotoGov passport size photo maker online, free is the first photo. The free file includes cropping and resizing for the 35×45-mm layout. If you need more than one version — for example, an extra digital file or a print-ready PDF — a small fee may be applicable, comparable to the cost of a cup of coffee.
No. PhotoGov guarantees only that your image meets the technical requirements used for German passport and visa photos. The decision to approve the document, however, belongs to the German consulate or passport authority reviewing your application. These institutions evaluate the full set of documents and make the final determination, while PhotoGov ensures that the photo follows the official biometric standards.
You can print your ID photos created with our service at local pharmacies, post offices, or commercial studios. If you have a home photo printer, ensure high-resolution settings and use high-quality photo paper.
German passport size photo in cm is 3.5×4.5 cm.
Yes. With tools like PhotoGov, you can get a German passport photo size online free — but the number of free images will depend on our server load and the general queue.
1.38 x 1.77 is the German passport photo size in inches.
413 x 531 is the Germany passport photo size in inches with 300 DPI, a standard high resolution used for printing ID photographs.
PhotoGov.net strictly adheres to the Global regulations for ID photos.
Germany Passport Photo Requirements: Germany Ministry of the Interior and Community (Bundesministerium des Innern und für Heimat, BMI)
Germany Visa Image Requirements: German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt)
Overview of Visa Requirements for Different Countries: German Federal Foreign Office
Schengen Visa Code: Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, issued by the European Parliament and the Council (EUR-Lex)
Biometric Regulations for International ID Documents: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303
German Missions Abroad: German Federal Foreign Office
Germany
11 doc.
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