Biometric passport photo requirements 2025 – All rules at a glance
Biometric passport photo requirements 2025 are crucial for your passport photo to be accepted by authorities. New legal requirements have been in force in Germany since 2025: Passport photos may only be taken by registered providers and transmitted digitally. (or be taken directly at the office)
To ensure that your biometric passport photo meets the official requirements, the size, background, facial expression and lighting, among other things, must be exactly the same. Even small deviations can lead to your passport photo being rejected.
In this overview, you will learn about all the important passport photo requirements 2025 – simply explained and summarized in an understandable way. We also show you typical mistakes and give you practical tips on how to get a correct and accepted passport photo. For example, the right clothing for passport photos.
If you would like to have your passport photo professionally taken directly, you can find a suitable provider here:
Passport photo photographer near you.
The official requirements for biometric passport photos
A biometric passport photo must meet the following criteria:
Passport photo size & dimensions at a glance
- 35 x 45 mm
face size
positioning - Format: The photo must be in portrait format and sharp.
Background and lighting
- Background: A uniform, light background (e.g. white or light gray).
- Lighting: No shadows or reflections on the face.
Face and facial expression
- Face position: The face must be centered and fully visible.
- Expression: Neutral facial expression, closed mouth, open eyes.
You can read more about this here:
The right make-up for biometric passport photos
Examples of correct and incorrect passport photos:
Avoid typical mistakes with passport photos
Tilted head position – not permitted
The head must be straight and facing the camera. A tilted or turned head position will result in the passport photo being rejected.
Correct head position and alignment
The face is straight, fully visible and optimally illuminated. This ensures that the passport photo meets the biometric requirements.
Under-exposure – face not sufficiently recognizable
Excessively dark lighting makes important facial features difficult to recognize. The passport photo is usually not accepted.
Smile with visible teeth – not permitted
A neutral facial expression is required for biometric passport photos. Smiling can lead to rejection.
These examples show typical requirements and errors in biometric passport photos.
You can find more examples here: Common mistakes with passport photos
Why are these requirements important?
Importance for biometric recognition
The requirements for biometric passport photos ensure that the image is suitable for facial recognition software.
Even small deviations can lead to your photo being rejected by the authorities.
Avoid common mistakes with passport photos
Many passport photos are rejected because basic mistakes are made – for example in lighting, facial expression or clothing.
👉 The most common mistakes with passport photos and how to avoid them
You can find tips on the right clothing here: Passport photo clothing – the best tips
The best way to avoid mistakes is to have your passport photo taken by a professional photographer.
Use our photographer search to find a registered photographer near you.
Special requirements for children
What should I bear in mind when taking passport photos for children?
Passport photos for children are subject to special requirements as their facial features are still developing:
- Neutral expression: A neutral facial expression is also required for children. Smiles or grimaces are not permitted.
- Correct position: The face must be fully visible and centered. Make sure that there are no toys or hands in the picture.
- Lighting: Ensure even lighting without shadows in order to clearly recognize facial features.
As it is often difficult to meet these requirements for babies and small children, we recommend that you consult an experienced photographer who is familiar with creating passport photos for children.
Further advice on biometric passport photo requirements
You can also read our other tips on biometric passport photos:
Frequently asked questions about biometric passport photos
What are the requirements for biometric passport photos?
Biometric passport photos must meet certain requirements, e.g. neutral facial expression, light background, correct size and even lighting.
How big does a passport photo have to be?
The passport photo format for Germany is: 35 mm x 45 mm (width x height).
Biometric passport photos are only permitted digitally for passports, ID cards and other official documents.
Is smiling allowed in passport photos?
No, a neutral facial expression is required for biometric passport photos. Smiling with visible teeth is not permitted.
What happens if my passport photo does not meet the requirements?
If your passport photo does not meet the biometric requirements, it will be rejected by the authorities. In this case, you will have to have a new passport photo taken, which can take time and incur additional costs.
Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?
Yes, but the eyes must be clearly visible. Tinted lenses or reflections are not permitted.
You can find out more about the secure creation and transmission of biometric passport photos on our Digital passport photo page.
You can find answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQ passport photos section.
Legal change 2025: Digital passport photos are now mandatory
New legal regulation since May 2025
New legal requirements for biometric passport photos have been in force since May 2025.
Self-produced photos or passport photos in paper form are no longer accepted by authorities.
Instead, passport photos must be produced digitally by a certified photographer and sent directly to the relevant authority.
What does that mean for you?
If you need a passport photo, you must have it taken by a registered provider (or directly at the relevant office) that guarantees secure digital transmission.
This will ensure that your biometric passport photo meets the current requirements.
Our solution for you
Our registered photographers will professionally take your passport photo and send it directly to the authorities – quickly, securely and in compliance with the law.
👉 Have a passport photo taken in your area
You can find more information here:
Change in the law for passport photos 2025 in detail
