German passport or ID card photo: size and rules
There is no photo size for you to prepare for the German passport or ID card; the photo is captured for you.
Rules from the source
- Applies to passports, ID cards and residence permit cards.
- Providers send the photo to the authority through a secure cloud.
- You get a printed Data Matrix code; the authority uses it to retrieve the photo.
- Paper photos were accepted only in exceptional cases until 31 July 2025.
Can you make it at home?
No. Since 1 May 2025 the photo must be taken digitally at the authority or by a registered photo provider. Paper and home photos are not accepted.
Where to go instead
Ask the issuing office which photographers or booths it takes. PortraitPass does not make this photo, because a print or file made at home would be turned away.
Sources
- Vereinfachte Ausweisbeantragung ab Mai 2025 (BMI)Issuing authority. Checked 28 Sep 2026.
- Ab wann kein Papier-Passbild mehr? (BMI)Issuing authority. Checked 28 Sep 2026.
Rules change. Check the issuing authority’s current instructions before you apply.
Found a wrong or outdated number? Open an issue with the source link.
Common questions
What size is a German passport or ID card photo?
There is no size to prepare. Since 1 May 2025 the photo must be taken digitally at the authority or by a registered photo provider. Paper and home photos are not accepted.
Can I take a German passport or ID card photo at home?
No. The photo has to be made by the issuing authority or a provider it names.
What are the main rules for a German passport or ID card photo?
Applies to passports, ID cards and residence permit cards. Providers send the photo to the authority through a secure cloud. You get a printed Data Matrix code; the authority uses it to retrieve the photo.
Where do the German passport or ID card numbers come from?
From the issuing authority’s own pages: Vereinfachte Ausweisbeantragung ab Mai 2025 (BMI) and Ab wann kein Papier-Passbild mehr? (BMI). Last checked 28 Sep 2026.