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The German identity card (Personalausweis) uses exactly the same biometric photo as the German passport: 35 x 45 mm, head 32–36 mm from chin to crown, plain light grey background, neutral expression with the mouth closed. One compliant photo therefore covers a Personalausweis application, a passport application and a driving licence.
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Not sure whether your photo will pass? See Why ID photos get rejected.
German ID Card Photo (Personalausweis) requirements
| Photo size | 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Pixels (print) | 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI · 827 x 1063 px at 600 DPI |
| Head height | 32–36 mm from chin to crown — official published figure. |
| Background | Any plain light color or light gray or gray. |
| Glasses | Allowed if there is no glare, no tint, and the frames do not cover the eyes. |
| Editing | Keep edits minimal; most authorities reject retouched photos even where no explicit rule is published. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, facing the camera straight on. |
| Official source | Official photo requirements ↗ |
Good to know
Since 1 May 2025 the photo for a German ID card or passport may no longer be brought in on paper in most cases: it has to reach the issuing office digitally, either captured at a self-service terminal (PointID) in the Bürgeramt or sent from a photographer or studio through the secure upload route. Check with your Bürgeramt or consulate before relying on a print.
German consulates abroad have continued to accept printed photos for applications filed with them; the digital-only rule was introduced for domestic Bürgerämter. If you are applying at a consulate, confirm which route it wants.
The published figures are a hard 32–36 mm chin-to-crown band on a 35 x 45 mm photo, which is a tighter crop than most people produce by eye — this is the single commonest German rejection.
How to make it in 3 steps
- Take or choose a photo. Stand in front of a plain light wall in even light with no shadows, camera at eye level about 2 m away, head and shoulders in frame with space around your head.
- Crop with the head guides. The maker opens preset to the 35 x 45 mm standard with the official 32–36 mm head range marked. Drag and zoom until the crown of your head and your chin sit on the guides, then run the built-in photo check.
- Download. Save the single photo (for online uploads) or the 4 x 6 in print sheet, and print it at any photo shop, pharmacy photo kiosk or at home for the price of a regular photo print.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a German ID Card Photo (Personalausweis)?
35 x 45 mm — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. The head must measure 32–36 mm from chin to the top of the head.
What background color does a German ID Card Photo (Personalausweis) need?
Any plain light color or light gray or gray.
Can I take a German ID Card Photo (Personalausweis) at home with my phone?
Yes. Stand in front of a plain light wall in even daylight, have someone take a sharp, front-facing photo from about 2 m away, then crop it to the exact 35 x 45 mm standard with the free maker — the head guides show you the official head-height range.
Is this German ID Card Photo (Personalausweis) maker really free and private?
Yes — completely free, with no ads, no watermark and no signup. Unlike photo-booth apps and paid services, your photo is processed entirely in your browser and is never uploaded to any server.
Where can I print my German ID Card Photo (Personalausweis)?
Download the 4 x 6 in (10 x 15 cm) sheet and print it as an ordinary borderless 4 x 6 in (10 x 15 cm) photo at actual size (100%, no scaling) at a photo shop, a pharmacy photo kiosk, an online print service or on a home printer, then cut along the guide lines. You pay only for an ordinary photo print, not a photo-booth service fee. Local examples: PointID (Bürgeramt), dm Passbildservice, Fotostudio. More detail: Printing passport photos in Germany.
Is the Personalausweis photo the same as the German passport photo?
Yes. Both use the 35 x 45 mm biometric format with a 32–36 mm chin-to-crown head height on a plain light grey background, defined by the same Fotomustertafel. The same photo also satisfies a German driving licence application.
Can I still bring a printed photo to the Bürgeramt?
Often not. Since May 2025 German ID card and passport photos generally have to be transmitted digitally — captured at a terminal in the office or sent securely by a photographer. German consulates abroad have continued to take prints. Confirm with the office handling your application, because the answer differs by office.