From May 1, 2025, new legal requirements for passport photos will come into force in Germany when applying for ID documents (e.g. ID cards or passports).
Only digital passport photos will be accepted. Printed paper photos are no longer permitted without exception.

CREATION OF DIGITAL PASSPORT PHOTOS

The following options are available for creating a digital passport photo:

• Citizens' office and local administrations:
  • Digital photographs can be taken on site for a fee of €6.00.
    • We recommend that children under the age of 6 have their photos taken by a certified photo studio or specialist store.

• Photo studio or specialist store:
  • You can go to a certified photo studio or specialist store that is authorized to take digital passport photos. The photo will be taken there and transmitted directly to the authorities via a cloud procedure certified by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI).
    You will then receive a QR code, which you should bring with you to your appointment at the citizens' office or the local administration.
    Please find out in advance whether the photo studio or specialist store you have chosen is connected to the digital transmission system.

This changeover to digital passport photos serves to increase document security and is intended to effectively prevent manipulation - in particular through so-called morphing techniques.

Please remember this:
Bring a digital passport photo (via QR code) to your appointment at the citizens' office or local administration in good time!