German Biometric Photo Maker (35×45 mm)
Create a 35×45 mm biometric photo in the German format with a neutral light grey background. Read the note below about German passports and ID cards.
The AI runs in your browser. Your photo is never uploaded. The model (about 44 MB) downloads once and is then cached.
How to use German Biometric Photo Maker
- 1
Upload a photo
Front-facing, even light, any background.
- 2
Check the result
The face is sized to 32–36 mm and the background becomes neutral light grey.
- 3
Download and print
Save the photo or print a sheet for visas, permits and other documents.
Important: German passports and ID cards are digital-only
Since 1 May 2025, paper photos are no longer accepted for German ID cards and passports. The photo is taken electronically at the citizens' office, or by a certified photographer who uploads it to a secure cloud and gives you a code for the office. Source: Federal Ministry of the Interior – Personalausweisportal. Some residence documents have also moved to digital photos, so check with your authority.
Where a printed German-format photo is still useful
Visa applications at German missions abroad, other countries' visas, membership and student cards, sports and fishing licences, and practice to see how you look before your appointment.
German biometric photo format
- Size: 35 × 45 mm, portrait.
- Face: 32–36 mm from chin to the top of the head.
- Background: plain and neutral, preferably light grey, with contrast to the face and hair.
- Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open; glasses only without reflections or tinted lenses.
How to take the photo at home
- Stand about 1–1.5 m from the camera, with the camera at eye level. Ask someone else to take it or use a timer: selfies distort the face.
- Face a window or use two soft lights so there are no shadows on your face. The background does not matter: the AI replaces it.
- Look straight at the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed and both eyes open. Push hair away from your eyes.
- Wear normal clothes in a colour that contrasts with the background (avoid white for white backgrounds).
Printing
Download the print sheet and print it at 100% / actual size (turn off “fit to page”) on glossy or matte photo paper, at home or at a photo kiosk. A 4×6 in (10×15 cm) print costs a few cents and holds several photos.