🇩🇪 Germany visa photo requirements
35 x 45 mm, head 32–36 mm chin to crown, Plain light grey background — and the details that get photographs bounced before an officer ever opens the file.
Check my photo freeThe Germany specification
Photo size
35 x 45 mm
Head height
32–36 mm chin to crown
Background
Plain light grey
- Biometric passport standard
- Frontal view only
Last reviewed 12/08/2026 · Source: German Federal Foreign Office. Confirm against the official Germany guidance before printing.
Routes this specification covers
Germany applies one biometric photo standard across its visa routes. The same compliant photo is accepted for every route below — only the supporting documents differ.
Why Germany visa photos get rejected
- Background is off-white, textured or shadowed instead of the plain light grey tone Germany requires.
- Head is outside the 32–36 mm chin to crown window — the single most common mechanical failure.
- Smiling, open mouth, or eyes partially closed.
- Glare on glasses, tinted lenses, or frames crossing the eyes.
- Digital retouching, beauty filters or a photo cropped out of a group picture.
- Printed at the wrong dimensions — Germany expects 35 x 45 mm exactly, with no border.
- Low resolution or heavy JPEG compression once uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
What size photo is needed for a Germany visa?
35 x 45 mm. Head height must be 32–36 mm chin to crown, taken against a Plain light grey background. Germany applies this specification across its visa routes, so the same photo works for a visitor, student or work application.
Can I wear glasses in a Germany visa photo?
Assume no. Almost every authority now rejects glasses because of glare and frame obstruction. If you must wear them for a medical reason, carry the supporting letter to your appointment.
How recent does a Germany visa photo have to be?
Within the last six months, and it must reflect your current appearance — beard, hair length and glasses status included.
Can I use the same photo for every Germany visa route?
Yes. Germany publishes one biometric photo standard, so a compliant photo is accepted across the routes listed on this page. Only the surrounding documents change.
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