# Germany Schengen Visa Photo Maker, 35x45 mm

Country: Germany

Document: Visa

Page language: en

Page: [Germany Schengen Visa Photo Maker, 35x45 mm](https://onedollarpassportphoto.com/de/visa/)

Requirements last verified: 2026-04-03

## Photo specifications

These are document-specific values from the page data. Printed and digital requirements may apply to different application routes; consult the guide and sources below.

| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo dimensions | 35 × 45 mm |
| Photo paper | Glossy or matte |
| Digital pixel dimensions | 413 × 531 px (see guide/source for applicability and minimum vs exact sizing) |
| Digital file format | JPEG |
| Maximum digital file size | 120 KB |
| Photo age | Taken within 6 months |

## Appearance and composition

- Background: Plain light-coloured background, uniform with no patterns or shadows. White and light grey both qualify under the EU standard.
- Head size: Face must cover 70-80% of photo height (32-36mm from chin to crown)
- Expression: Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open looking directly at camera
- Glasses: Permitted; check the source for restrictions.
- Even lighting; no harsh shadows.
- Filters, beauty modes and retouching are forbidden.
- Color photo.
- Head coverings are permitted for religious reasons; check the source for conditions.
- Uniforms are restricted; check the source for exceptions.
- Accessories are permitted; check the source for conditions.

## Common rejection reasons

- Glasses glare or tinted lenses — Glasses are allowed, but the eyes must be clearly visible with no reflection and no tint

- Wrong head size — Face must cover 70-80% of photo height (32-36mm)

- Non-uniform background — Must be plain light grey or white

- Smiling or non-neutral expression — Neutral expression required

- Shadows on face or background — Even lighting required

- Head tilted — Face must be perfectly straight and centered

## Source for the document requirements

[Source linked by the document page](https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/downloads/EN/publikationen/2025/BMI25021-photo-examples-en.pdf)

The complete guide below includes additional sources and application-specific qualifications when available.

## Create a photo with One Dollar Passport Photo

The service sizes, crops and checks a photo for the selected document. Its output settings are service choices, not additional government requirements.

- Digital photo download: $1 USD.
- Print-ready sheet download: $5 USD. Printing is separate.
- Optional human expert review: +$4.99 USD.

[Open the photo tool](https://onedollarpassportphoto.com/de/visa/)

Complete Guide

## German visa photo: the spec and how to file from abroad

A German visa photo is the standard 35x45mm Schengen biometric photo, the same for a tourist, work, or study visa. Here is the spec in brief and how Germany's filing route works.

Written by

Jake

Community & Writing, One Dollar Passport Photo

Reviewed by

Lisa

Expert Reviewer, One Dollar Passport Photo

Fact-checked & verified

June 17, 2026

## The photo, in brief

A German visa photo is the standard EU Schengen biometric photo: **35x45 mm, face filling 70 to 80% of the frame, a plain light background, neutral expression, taken within the last 6 months.** It is the same photo whether you are applying for a short-stay Schengen (type C) tourist visa or a national long-stay (type D) visa for work, study, or a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel). The visa type changes the application, not the picture.

For the full requirements, the glasses and background rules, and how to shoot a compliant photo at home, see the **[Schengen visa photo guide](https://onedollarpassportphoto.com/schengen-visa-photo/)**, which covers the one spec used across all 29 Schengen countries. For a digital upload to Germany’s portal, the file is a JPEG, at least 413x531 pixels, up to 120 KB.

You can make a compliant German visa photo from a phone picture in about two minutes. [Create yours for $1 →](https://onedollarpassportphoto.com/select/)

## How Germany handles it

Most German visa applications outside Germany are filed through **VFS Global**, the appointed visa centre in the majority of countries, or directly at a German mission. Germany also runs an online form, **VIDEX**, where you complete the application ahead of your appointment and, depending on the mission, attach the digital photo.

The biometric data (fingerprints and the photo record) is captured at the counter during your appointment, so even when you pre-fill VIDEX you still bring printed photos to the visit.

## Submitting your photo

Bring **two identical prints** on photo paper to the appointment; one is attached to the form and the spare covers a re-check without a re-shoot. If you applied through VIDEX, bring the prints anyway, missions still ask for them alongside the digital file.

Check your specific consulate or visa centre’s document checklist before the appointment, since the photo count and upload requirements differ slightly between missions. A rejected photo at the counter usually means re-booking or paying for an on-site re-shoot, so it is worth confirming the spec against the [photo guide](https://onedollarpassportphoto.com/schengen-visa-photo/) before you go.

### Sources & References

This guide is fact-checked against official government publications and updated regularly to reflect the latest requirements.

1.  \[1\]
    
    [BMI: Photo examples for biometric documents (PDF)](https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/downloads/EN/publikationen/2025/BMI25021-photo-examples-en.pdf)
    
    bmi.bund.de
    
2.  \[2\]
    
    [Federal Foreign Office: Visa service](https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en/visa-service)
    
    auswaertiges-amt.de
    
3.  \[3\]
    
    [VIDEX: online visa application portal](https://videx.diplo.de/)
    
    videx.diplo.de