Guides · Updated 2026-07-13
Germany's 2025 digital-only passport photo rules, explained
On 1 May 2025 Germany became the first major country to abolish paper passport photos entirely. Photos must now reach the passport office through a secure digital channel — understanding the new flow saves you a wasted trip to the Bürgeramt.
What changed
Printed photos brought to the office are no longer accepted for German passports and ID cards. Instead, photos are transmitted digitally: either taken at a certified photographer or drugstore terminal that uploads them and hands you a QR code, or captured at self-service terminals (PointID) in the government office itself.
The biometric requirements themselves didn't change: 35 x 45 mm proportions, face 70–80% of the image, neutral expression, light grey background recommended.
How the QR code flow works
The photographer or terminal uploads your photo to the federal system and gives you a QR code (valid for several months). At your appointment, the clerk scans the code and pulls the photo — you never handle a file yourself.
Can you still prepare a photo at home?
Not for German passports — the digital channel requires a certified capture point. But German residents still need traditionally-sized photos for many other purposes: residence permits for family members, foreign visa applications, university applications and job applications. For those, a correctly cropped 35 x 45 mm photo remains exactly what you need.
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