Have your passport photo taken – fast, secure & legally compliant
Have your biometric passport photo professionally taken and digitally transmitted directly to the authorities. Quickly find a photographer who will professionally take your passport photo and transmit it digitally via a secure cloud. Your biometric passport photo is taken digitally, checked and then sent securely and directly to the relevant authority. This means you receive a fully legally compliant passport photo that meets the current legal requirements. Many people also ask themselves whether they can create their passport photo online or take it themselves. You can find out what is still permitted today in our guides.
Your advantages at a glance:
Have your passport photo taken by a photographer nearby
With alfo.passbild you can quickly find suitable providers throughout Germany. Simply select your city and have your passport photo professionally created – digitally, securely and prepared directly for your appointment at the office.
You can also quickly find a suitable photographer for your biometric passport photo in all other cities via our platform. Find passport photo
Passport photos that meet the requirements
All participating photographers work according to the official specifications of the authorities. You will receive a biometric passport photo that can be used for ID cards, passports and other identification documents.
Criteria such as background, image detail, head size and facial alignment are precisely adhered to so that your passport photo can be accepted without delay.
Find certified photographers in your area
Simply enter your location and immediately find verified photo studios in your area. All studios have been carefully selected and offer you professional photos, fast processing and a high success rate with the authorities.
This way you avoid mistakes and reliably receive your passport photo directly on site.
What is a biometric passport photo?
A biometric passport photo meets fixed legal requirements, including a neutral facial expression, a defined head size and a light, uniform background.
Since the legal changeover in 2025, passport photos must be transmitted digitally and securely to the competent authority – printed passport photos are no longer accepted for this purpose.
Professional studios have the necessary technology and experience to create biometric passport photos correctly and prepare them for digital transmission. This gives you a high-quality, complete passport photo that is suitable for use by the authorities.
How the new digital e-passport photo procedure works – now in the video!
The process at a glance – from the photo studio to the office.
E-passport photo procedure: It’s that simple
1. Have your passport photo taken
A certified photographer will take your biometric passport photo in accordance with the current official requirements.
2. check & approve photo
You will see your passport photo directly on site and approve it as soon as you are satisfied.
3. secure transmission:
After your approval, the passport photo is encrypted and securely transmitted to the responsible authority. (C5 high-security cloud)
4. receive a QR code:
You will receive a QR code which you present to the office when applying for your ID card.
5. retrieval by the authority:
The authority retrieves your passport photo digitally – quickly & securely.
Technical transmission of your biometric passport photo to the responsible office:
Have your digital, legally compliant passport photo taken directly by a photographer in your area.
Background to the 2025 amendment:
New legal requirements for passport photos have been in force in Germany since May 1, 2025. The aim of the reform is to increase the security of biometric passport photos and reliably prevent tampering.
For this reason, passport photos must be sentdigitally and securely directly to the relevant authority. Self-generated passport photos or printed photos for submission to the office are no longer permitted. More about the Passport Photo Act 2025
Why you should have your passport photo taken by a photographer
Professional result:
Certified photographers know exactly what is important when it comes to biometric passport photos. Light, perspective and image detail are optimally coordinated to create a high-quality passport photo that meets the official requirements – and in which you are recognizable. Read our tips on make-up for passport photos
Fast, convenient and stress-free:
Your passport photo is taken directly on site and processed digitally. There are no long waiting times or additional appointments at the office – even at short notice or outside normal opening hours. Find out more about passport photo requirements here
Save time and money:
Your digital passport photo remains securely stored for six months and can be used for various applications such as ID cards or passports. This means you avoid repeat appointments and additional costs.(Photos that you have taken directly at the office are only valid for one ID card application and are only available for 96 hours)
Biometrically checked:
Each passport photo is checked for compliance with the biometric requirements before it is sent. This reduces the number of queries from the authorities. Avoid typical errors with biometric passport photos
Also in special cases:
Whether children, senior citizens or people with special requirements: Photographers take the necessary time to create a correct biometric passport photo.
Available throughout Germany:
Thanks to a nationwide network, you can quickly and easily find a certified photographer for biometric passport photos in your area.
Supporters of the e-passport photo procedure for digital passport photos
The e-passport photo process is supported by a broad working group of German specialist photo retailers and professional photographers. The process was developed by the E-Passport Photo Working Group to enable the secure, standardized and legally compliant transmission of biometric passport photos.
The photographic trade association RINGFOTO supports the process with over 1,100 member companies and around 1,500 photo studios throughout Germany. Numerous other photographers as well as leading associations and professional organizations are also involved, including the Central Association of German Professional Photographers (CV), the Association of Professional Portrait Photographers (BPP), the German Retail Association (HDE), the Federal Association of Technology (BVT) and the German Retail Federation (HDE).
Thanks to this broad support, the e-passport photo process covers a large part of the German photo trade and ensures that digital passport photos are created and transmitted reliably, securely and in accordance with current legal requirements.
Frequently asked questions about the digital passport photo
Where can I have a digital passport photo taken?
You can obtain a digital passport photo from a photographer in your area. Via alfo.passbild you can quickly find suitable providers who will take your photo professionally and send it directly to the authorities.
Why does the passport photo have to be transmitted digitally?
Since May 1, 2025, digital transmission has been mandatory for ID documents. The photo is transmitted securely from the photographer to the relevant authority.
Can I take my passport photo myself or bring it with me?
No, passport photos may no longer be taken by yourself or brought along as a printout. The photos are taken and submitted, for example, by a professional photographer or directly at the office.
What happens if my passport photo does not meet the requirements?
Photos that do not meet the biometric requirements will be rejected by the authorities. With a photographer via alfo.passbild, your photo will be created according to the current guidelines so that you receive a verified passport photo.
Are you a photographer and would like to become part of our network? Passport photo information for photographers
If you need a passport photo nearby, you can quickly find the right photographer via alfo.passbild – simply, safely and without risk.
