All photo formats / Europe
Germany passport photo rules 2025: digital-only, photographer-transmitted
Since 1 May 2025, printed passport photos are no longer accepted for German passports, ID cards and residence permits. The photo must be digital and is transmitted to the authority directly by a certified photographer or a terminal at the Buergeramt through a registered cloud provider (Passverordnung Section 5). You cannot create, upload or email your own photo file - no app or converter can produce a valid submission. This page explains the current rules so you do not waste time on tools that cannot work for Germany.
The official requirements
| Since 1 May 2025 | Only digital biometric photos are accepted; printed photos are no longer permitted |
|---|---|
| Who creates it | A certified photographer, or a photo terminal at the citizens' office (Buergeramt) |
| How it reaches the authority | Direct secure transmission by the photographer/terminal via a registered cloud provider (PassV Section 5) - not by you |
| Self-made photos | Not possible: you cannot upload, email or hand over your own file |
| Transition period | Paper photos were accepted until 31 July 2025; that window has closed |
Checked against the official sources below on 7 Nov 2026.
There is deliberately no tool on this page: any file a converter produces would have no valid submission path. Have the photo taken by a certified photographer or at the Buergeramt terminal; the biometric quality requirements themselves are unchanged (ICAO-based: front-facing, neutral expression, plain light background).
How to do it
- Go to a certified photographer or a Buergeramt with a photo terminal.
- The photo is transmitted digitally and securely to the authority - you receive no file to upload.
- Apply for your passport or ID card as usual; the photo is already linked to your visit.
Common questions
Can I make the photo with an app or converter?
No. Since May 2025 there is no self-upload path - the photo must be transmitted by a certified photographer or an authority terminal.
Can I still bring a printed photo?
No. The transition period ended 31 July 2025; prints are no longer accepted.