Documents · Germany
Germany visa photo size and requirements
Germany visa (Schengen)
The photo rules for the Germany visa (Schengen) in plain words, from doha.diplo.de. In short: 35 × 45 mm print.
Requirements
- Printed photo
- 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
- Head height
- 32 to 36 mm (1.26 to 1.42 in); in a digital file 70 to 80 % of the photo height, chin to the top of the head
- Background
- Plain and even: white, off-white
- Glasses
- Glasses are fine without glare, eyes clearly visible
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed
- Selfies
- Not stated. A photo someone else takes is safest
- How recent
- Taken in the last 3 months
- Print sheets in PassPic
- 4 × 6 in, 10 × 15 cm, A4, Letter
Source: doha.diplo.de, last checked 14 October 2026.
“1 recent biometric passport photo, 35 x 45 mm, no older than three months.”
Babies and young children
- A baby's eyes may be closed.
- Young children don't need a perfectly neutral expression.
Common mistakes
- A head that is too small or too large. It must be 32 to 36 mm (1.26 to 1.42 in); in a digital file 70 to 80 % of the photo height, chin to the top of the head.
- A busy or uneven background, or one that isn't white or off-white.
- Glare on glasses, or frames that cover the eyes.
- A smile with the mouth open, or any expression that isn't neutral.
- An old photo. It must be taken in the last 3 months.
- A photo that was retouched, filtered or had its background replaced.
PassPic can't measure some things, so check them yourself: glasses, head coverings and hair over the eyes.
How PassPic helps
PassPic checks your photo against these rules on your phone and marks each check Passed, Check or Fix, with a one-line tip. It crops and scales the photo to size and never changes your face or your background. Your photo is checked on your phone and never uploaded.
PassPic is coming to Google Play.
Related documents
We can't promise that any office will accept a photo; the issuing authority decides. Rules change, so read doha.diplo.de before you send your photo. PassPic is an independent app. Not affiliated with any government.