DE Germany bus pass 35x45 mm Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: must be exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm high (± 1 mm tolerance)
• Head size: measured from chin to crown must be between 32 mm and 36 mm
• Head position: full face centered and looking straight at the camera, shoulders level, neutral expression, mouth closed
• Background: uniform light-grey or off-white, free of patterns, textures or shadows
• Lighting & contrast: even illumination, no red-eye, glare or harsh shadows on face or background
• Color & finish: natural skin tones, true-to-life color, printed on high-quality matte photo paper
• Glasses: permitted only if lenses are clear with no reflections, frames must not cover eyes or cast shadows
• Head coverings: only for verified religious reasons, must not obscure hairline or facial features
• Hair & accessories: hair away from face, ears preferred visible, no sunglasses or decorative masks
• Recency: photo taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
• Clothing: normal everyday attire, avoid uniforms, camouflage or overly bright/neon colors
• Print & digital standards: no borders, stamps or watermarks; digital submissions must comply with ISO/IEC 19794-5 metadata and resolution requirements

Step-by-Step Process

• Prepare and capture a compliant 35×45 mm photo: detailed explanation
• Camera setup: use a high-resolution digital camera (min. 8 MP) mounted on a tripod to avoid blur
• Background: position the subject 1–5 m from a plain, light-gray or off-white wall to eliminate shadows
• Lighting: place two soft-light sources at 45° angles to the face, ensuring even illumination with no hotspots or shadows
• Head position and expression: ask the subject to look straight into the lens, keep eyes open and mouth closed, maintain a neutral expression
• Framing and distance: adjust zoom so that the head (from chin to crown) fills 70–80 % of the frame, leaving space for top of shoulders
• File capture: save as uncompressed JPEG, TIFF, or PNG at 300 dpi with natural color balance and no filters or retouching
• Edit, print, and submit: what to do and why
• Crop to 35×45 mm at 300 dpi: ensures the final print meets Germany’s official size requirements exactly
• Check head measurements: verify head height is 32–36 mm and eye line is 18–22 mm from the bottom edge to comply with biometric standards
• Print on matte, ISO 9070–compliant photo paper: matte finish eliminates glare and ISO compliance guarantees color stability and longevity
• Final quality control: inspect print under daylight or 5000 K lamp for even exposure, accurate color, and sharp detail—prevents rejection due to poor print quality
• Attach to application: affix the photo to the bus-pass application form using photo corners or glue dots (never staples), and write full name and date of birth lightly in pencil on the back—ensures identification and prevents tampering
• Submit with supporting documents: present the photo alongside your completed application, valid ID, and any residency proof at your local transport authority office to finalize your bus-pass issuance without delays

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact Dimensions: Ensure the final photo is precisely 35 × 45 mm with the head height at 32–36 mm to meet German biometric standards and avoid automatic rejection.
• Uniform Background: Use a smooth light-gray or white background without shadows to provide clear contrast for biometric scanners and prevent retakes due to background issues.
• Neutral Expression: Maintain a closed-mouth, neutral expression and direct gaze to comply with biometric requirements and avoid delays from expression-based rejections.
• Even Lighting: Illuminate the face evenly without reflections or overexposure to capture true skin tones and prevent rejections due to lighting inconsistencies.
• No Obstructive Accessories: Remove glasses, hats, and excessive jewelry so facial features are fully visible, reducing biometric scanning errors and photo refusals.

Conclusion

Conclusion: Adhering to the DE Germany bus pass 35×45 mm photo requirements ensures your image meets official biometric standards, avoids application delays, and guarantees seamless travel documentation.

Key Points:

• Photo size: 35×45 mm
• Head size: 32–36 mm from chin to crown
• Background: plain, light grey or white, no shadows
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and visible
• Lighting: even, no reflections or flash hotspots
• Glasses: permitted if frames thin, no glare, eyes fully visible
• Headgear: only for religious reasons, must not obscure face
• Image quality: high resolution, sharp focus, true-to-life color
• Age and timing: photo taken within last 6 months
• Print and digital: printed on quality photo paper or submitted as a compliant digital file