Germany has some of the strictest biometric passport photo requirements in the world. The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) publishes detailed guidelines that apply to both the Reisepass (passport) and the Personalausweis (national ID card).
Size requirements
German passport photos must be exactly 35 mm wide by 45 mm tall, following the ICAO biometric standard. The photo must be printed at high quality: drugstore prints or home inkjet prints on plain paper may be rejected.
- Width: 35 mm
- Height: 45 mm
- Digital: 413×531 px at 300 DPI
- Must be printed on photo-quality paper
Background requirements
Where most countries require white, Germany specifies a plain light grey background. The grey gives biometric facial recognition systems better contrast.
Biometric head size
The face, from chin to the top of the head, must be between 32 mm and 36 mm. The face must be perfectly centred, and the head must be straight with no tilting or turning.
- Face height: 32–36 mm (71–80% of frame)
- Face perfectly centred
- Head straight, with no tilt in any direction
- Eyes at the same horizontal level
Strict expression rules
- No smile at all: a completely neutral expression
- Mouth closed
- Both eyes open and clearly visible
- No glasses: Germany banned glasses in passport photos
- No hats or head coverings (religious exceptions require separate application)
- Both ears should be visible if possible
Frequently asked questions
Why does Germany require a grey background?
Germany uses a light grey background because it gives automated biometric facial recognition systems the best contrast. The grey stops the face from blending into the background.
Are the rules the same for Personalausweis and Reisepass?
Yes. The biometric photo requirements are identical for the German national identity card (Personalausweis) and the German passport (Reisepass). The same photo can be used for both.