Passport photo size & format – All dimensions for biometric passport photos

A biometric passport photo in Germany is 35 x 45 mm in size. This corresponds to 3.5 x 4.5 cm. These dimensions apply to passport photos that are used for official identification documents such as ID cards, passports or residence permits.

Since May 1, 2025, the correct passport photo size alone is no longer sufficient. For ID documents, the passport photo must be created digitally and sent securely to the relevant authority. Via alfo.passbild, you can find photographers and specialist photo retailers in your area who professionally take biometric passport photos and make them available for digital retrieval by the authorities.

How big is a passport photo?

The prescribed passport photo size is 35 mm wide and 45 mm high. The passport photo is taken in portrait format. Not only the outer format is important, but also the correct position of the face within the picture.

Passport photo size in mm	35 x 45 mm
Passport photo size in cm	3,5 x 4,5 cm
Format	Portrait format
How to use	Identity card, passport, residence permit and other identity documents
Important since 2025	Digital creation and secure transmission to the authority

Passport photo size for identity card and passport

A biometric passport photo in 35 x 45 mm format is required for the German ID card and passport. The requirement is the same for both documents. It is important that the photo is not only the right size, but also biometrically usable.

A professional photographer pays attention to head position, direction of gaze, facial expression, background, lighting and image quality. This reduces the risk of your passport photo not being accepted at your appointment at the citizens’ office or passport authority.

Passport photo format: What needs to be right apart from the size?

A biometric passport photo must be taken from the front. The face must be clearly recognizable, looking directly into the camera. The background should be bright, neutral and even. Shadows, reflections or an incorrect image section can mean that the passport photo cannot be used.

Passport photo size in pixels: what resolution makes sense?

For official ID documents, it is particularly important for citizens that the passport photo is provided correctly in digital form. However, if you would like to know the pixel dimensions of a passport photo, this depends on the resolution.

Resolution	Approximate pixel size
300 dpi	approx. 413 x 531 pixels
600 dpi	approx. 827 x 1063 pixels

With a digital passport photo for ID documents, you do not usually have to calculate the pixel size yourself. The photographer creates the passport photo according to the current specifications and transmits it to the relevant authority using a secure procedure.

Digital passport photos since May 2025: Why the format alone is no longer enough

Since May 1, 2025, passport photos for ID cards, passports and residence permits can no longer simply be submitted to the office as a printed photo. The photo will be created digitally and provided securely. The authority can then retrieve the passport photo directly in digital form.

This means that even if the dimensions 35 x 45 mm are correct, the passport photo must also be digitally usable and transmitted in accordance with the law. This is exactly where alfo.passbild comes in: citizens can use the platform to find professional photographers and specialist photo retailers who take biometric passport photos correctly and provide them digitally for the official process.

Why a professional photographer makes sense

At first glance, a passport photo looks simple. In practice, however, small mistakes quickly lead to problems: The face is too big or too small, the head is slightly tilted, the background is uneven or the picture is not evenly lit.

An experienced photographer knows the requirements and ensures that your passport photo is not only the right size, but also biometrically suitable. This saves time, reduces queries and helps you to be well prepared for your appointment with the authorities.

Common errors in passport photo size and format

Many passport photos are not rejected because of their external size, but because of details in the image composition. The following errors are particularly common:

• the face is shown too large or too small
• the head is not aligned straight
• the eye level is not in the appropriate range
• the background is too dark or uneven
• there are shadows on the face or on the wall
• Glasses reflect or cover the eyes
• the image was subsequently cropped incorrectly
• the passport photo was not sent digitally to the authority

Crop your own passport photo: Why this is not a good idea

A self-cropped photo may be sufficient for private purposes. However, this is not recommended for official ID documents. A biometric passport photo must meet certain requirements and, since May 2025, must be transmitted digitally to the authorities.

If you crop your passport photo yourself, there is a risk that the size, face height or image position will not be correct. In addition, there is no secure digital transmission to the authorities. That’s why a professional photo service provider is the better solution.

For which documents does the passport photo size 35 x 45 mm apply?

The 35 x 45 mm size is used for many official documents. These include in particular

• Identity card
• Passport
• temporary identity card
• temporary passport
• Residence permit
• Other official identification documents with biometric photograph

Depending on the document and authority, further requirements may apply. For German ID documents, the digital provision of the passport photo has been particularly important since May 2025.

Have your passport photo created in the right format via alfo.passbild

alfo.passbild connects citizens with professional photographers and photo retailers in Germany. The affiliated providers create biometric passport photos in accordance with current specifications and make them available digitally for the authorities.

You simply search for a provider in your area, have your passport photo professionally taken and then receive the necessary information for your appointment with the authorities. This turns your passport photo into a secure, digital and legally compliant process.

Frequently asked questions about passport photo size

How big is a passport photo?

A biometric passport photo is 35 x 45 mm in size. This corresponds to 3.5 x 4.5 cm.

What size is a passport photo for the passport?

A biometric passport photo in 35 x 45 mm format is required for the passport.

What size is a passport photo for the ID card?

The passport photo size 35 x 45 mm also applies to the ID card.

What does 35 x 45 mm mean for a passport photo?

35 x 45 mm means that the passport photo is 35 millimeters wide and 45 millimeters high. It is created in portrait format.

How big is a passport photo in centimeters?

A passport photo is 3.5 cm wide and 4.5 cm high.

How big is a passport photo in pixels?

At 300 dpi, a passport photo is approximately 413 x 531 pixels. At 600 dpi it is approximately 827 x 1063 pixels.

Is a digital passport photo the same size as a printed passport photo?

The biometric requirements remain the same. For ID documents, however, the passport photo is created digitally and transmitted securely to the authorities.

Can I crop a passport photo myself?

This is not recommended for official ID documents. The passport photo must be created biometrically correct and provided digitally using a secure procedure.

Where can I have a passport photo taken in the correct format?

Via alfo.passbild you can find photographers in your area who create biometric passport photos in the correct format and send them digitally to the authorities.

Why is a passport photo rejected?

A passport photo can be rejected if the size, head position, viewing direction, background, lighting or digital provision do not meet the requirements.

You can also find more information on our pages on digital passport photos, passport photo requirements and finding a photographer nearby.