German Biometric Photo Guide for Expats & Foreigners (2026)
Whether you need a biometric photo for your Aufenthaltstitel, German passport, or visa — the specs are the same: 35×45mm, no glasses, neutral expression. This guide covers the specs, where to get photos in Germany, the German terms you'll encounter, and what to do if the Ausländerbehörde rejects your photo.
German Passport Photo Specs
| Size | 35 × 45mm (not 2×2 inch) |
| Head height | 32–36mm chin to crown (70–80% of frame) |
| Background | Light grey (preferred) or white |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, no smiling |
| Glasses | Banned since November 2016 |
If you’re used to American, British, or Australian passport photos, German specs are different in ways that will trip you up. The size is different (35×45mm, not 2×2 inch), glasses are completely banned (not just “no glare”), and the system is automated — meaning your photo is rejected by a computer before any human even sees it.
What’s Different From US/UK/AU Photos
The biggest surprises for English-speaking expats:
Size: German photos are 35×45mm (rectangular). US photos are 51×51mm (square). UK photos are 35×45mm but with different head-to-frame ratios. You cannot use a US passport photo for a German passport.
Background: Germany prefers light grey — not the pure white required by the US. Plain white is also accepted, but if a German photo studio gives you a grey background, that’s correct.
Glasses: Completely banned since November 2016. The US still technically allows glasses (though discourages them). Germany does not — no exceptions without medical documentation.
Expression: Germany is stricter than most countries. Even a slight closed-mouth smile is rejected. The system is automated and has no tolerance.
The #1 Mistake Expats Make
Bringing a US-sized (2×2 inch) photo to the Bürgeramt. It’s the wrong size, wrong aspect ratio, and often the wrong background color. You’ll be turned away and told to come back with a biometric photo.
Full Specifications
| Photo size | 35 × 45mm (width × height) |
| Head height | 32–36mm chin to crown |
| Eye position | 28–35mm from bottom edge |
| Background | Light grey (preferred) or white |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed |
| Glasses | NOT allowed (since Nov 2016) |
| Digital format | JPEG, 300+ DPI, max 500KB |
| Age of photo | Within last 6 months |
Where to Get Passport Photos in Germany
Option 1: DIY + Print (Cheapest)
Take a photo at home with your smartphone, upload to our service (English interface), and print at any dm or Rossmann.
| Method | Price | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Dollar Passport Photo + dm print | ~€1 | 5 minutes |
| Photo booth (Fotoautomat) | €6–12 | 5 minutes |
| dm/Rossmann with photo service | €8–10 | 10 minutes |
| Professional photographer | €15–25 | 15–30 min |
Option 2: dm or Rossmann (Easy)
Both drugstore chains offer passport photo services at the counter (€8-10) and self-service photo stations where you can print your own file (€0.05-0.15).
dm (Fotoparadies) — Over 2,000 locations. Look for the photo kiosk near the entrance. Insert USB stick or use the dm Foto app. Select 10×15cm, glossy paper, print. The staff can also take a biometric photo at the counter for €8-10.
Rossmann (Fotowelt) — Over 2,200 locations. Same process as dm. Photo station accepts USB, SD card, or the Rossmann Fotowelt app.
Language tip: If asking staff for help, say: “Ich brauche ein biometrisches Passfoto” (I need a biometric passport photo). Most dm/Rossmann staff in cities speak some English.
Option 3: Photo Booth (Fotoautomat)
Photo booths at train stations, airports, and shopping centers take and print biometric photos for €6-12. Look for machines labeled “Fotoautomat” or “Biometrische Passfotos”. Most have an English language option.
Warning: Older machines may not meet current biometric standards. If the machine looks outdated, choose dm/Rossmann instead.
Option 4: Photo Studio (Fotostudio)
Professional studios charge €15-25 per set. Quality is guaranteed, but expensive. Useful if you want someone else to handle everything.
Residence Permit & Visa Photos (Aufenthaltstitel)
If you’re a foreigner living in Germany, you most likely need biometric photos for your Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit), not a German passport. The good news: the photo specs are identical to German passport photos (35×45mm, biometric, no glasses).
You’ll need biometric photos for:
- Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) — initial application and every renewal
- Blaue Karte EU (EU Blue Card) — same photo specs
- Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit) — same specs
- Visa extensions at the Ausländerbehörde (foreigners’ office)
The Ausländerbehörde is stricter than you’d expect about photo quality. Bring two prints on glossy photo paper — some offices reject matte prints. If your photo is rejected at the counter, most Ausländerbehörde buildings have a Fotoautomat nearby or a dm/Rossmann within walking distance.
Other Use Cases
German passport (Reisepass): If you’re a German citizen living abroad or a dual national, you need 35×45mm biometric photos. Our tool handles this format.
Home country passport renewal: If you need photos for your home country’s passport (US, UK, etc.) while living in Germany, the specs are different. US photos are 51×51mm, not 35×45mm. Check our country-specific guides and select your home country — don’t use a German-spec photo.
Schengen visa: If you’re applying for a Schengen visa at an embassy in Germany, the photo format is typically 35×45mm — same as German passports. Verify with the specific embassy, as some countries have minor variations.
Essential German Vocabulary
If you’re navigating the process in Germany, you’ll encounter these terms:
| German | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Reisepass | RYE-zeh-pass | Passport |
| Personalausweis | pair-zo-NAHL-ows-vice | National ID card |
| Aufenthaltstitel | OWF-ent-halts-tee-tel | Residence permit |
| Ausländerbehörde | OWS-len-der-beh-her-deh | Foreigners’ office |
| Passfoto / Passbild | PASS-foto / PASS-bild | Passport photo |
| biometrisch | bio-MEH-trish | Biometric |
| Bürgeramt | BUR-ger-amt | Citizens’ office (where Germans apply) |
| Fotoautomat | FOH-to-ow-to-maht | Photo booth |
| Drogerie | dro-geh-REE | Drugstore (dm, Rossmann) |
| Lichtbild | LIKHT-bild | ID photo (formal/official term) |
Don't speak German? Our tool works in English.
Upload your photo on 1 Dollar Passport Photo — the entire interface is in English. Select “Germany → Passport” and we handle the 35×45mm biometric specs automatically. No German required. Print the result at any dm or Rossmann self-service station (the machines have English options in most locations).
Where to Find Photo Booths
Most major train stations (Hauptbahnhof), airports, and shopping centers in Germany have at least one Fotoautomat. Look for machines labeled “Fotoautomat”, “Biometrische Passfotos”, or “Fotofix”. Cost: €6-12. Most newer machines have an English language option.
Tip: If you can’t find a booth, any dm or Rossmann nearby will have either a self-service photo station (for printing your own file) or a counter service where staff take and print the photo for you (€8-10). In large cities, you’re rarely more than a 10-minute walk from one of these options.
Source: Federal Police Authority (Bundespolizei) — Official biometric photo requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What size is a German passport photo?
35mm wide × 45mm tall (1.38 × 1.77 inches). This is the European biometric format — rectangular, not the US 2×2 inch square. Head height must be 32–36mm from chin to crown.
Can I wear glasses in a German passport photo?
No. Germany banned all glasses in passport photos on November 1, 2016. No prescription glasses, no reading glasses, no sunglasses. Medical exceptions require an ophthalmologist's written certification and are extremely rarely approved.
Is the background white or grey for German passports?
Germany officially prefers light grey (Hellgrau), but plain white is also accepted. Both work. If using our service, the background is automatically set to the correct shade.
Can I use my US/UK passport photo for a German passport?
No. US passport photos are 51×51mm (2×2 inches), UK photos are 35×45mm but with different head-size requirements. You need a photo specifically made to German biometric specifications.
Where can I print passport photos in Germany?
At dm (Fotoparadies), Rossmann (Fotowelt), or photo booths at train stations. dm and Rossmann photo stations cost €0.05–0.15 per 10×15cm print. Photo booths cost €6–12 for a full set.
What does 'biometrisch' mean on German passport forms?
Biometrisch (biometric) means the photo meets the strict measurement standards for automated facial recognition — specific head size, neutral expression, no glasses, and standardized background. All German ID documents require biometric photos.
How recent must my German passport photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months. If the photo doesn't reflect your current appearance (significant weight change, different hairstyle, new facial hair), it will be rejected regardless of age.
Create Your German Passport Photo
Upload your photo — we remove the background, crop to 35×45mm biometric format, and verify compliance. English interface, no German required. Ready in 3 minutes.
Create Photo Now~€1 ($1 USD) + dm/Rossmann print €0.05–0.12 • Photos never leave your device