DE Germany ID card 35x45 mm (3.5x4.5 cm) Photo - Top Mistakes to Avoid

Requirements

• Incorrect size: Photo must be exactly 35 × 45 mm (5 × 5 cm); any deviation or scaling error leads to rejection
• Improper head positioning: Head height from chin to crown must be 32–36 mm and centered; tilting or off-center framing is disallowed
• Wrong background: Must be a uniform light-grey (RGB approx. 200-260 scale); colored, patterned or gradient backgrounds are invalid
• Shadows and reflections: No shadows on face or background and no reflections on glasses; even lighting is mandatory
• Expression violations: Neutral expression only, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible; no smiling, frowning or raised eyebrows
• Glasses issues: No tinted lenses, heavy frames or glare; thin frames only, eyes fully visible without reflection
• Head coverings: Only permitted for religious reasons; hairline, forehead, eyebrows, eyes, nose, mouth and chin must be unobstructed
• Poor image quality: Blurry, pixelated, over- or under-exposed photos are unacceptable; use high-resolution, sharp focus imagery
• Outdated photo: Must have been taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
• Clothing contrast: Wear clothes that contrast with the background; avoid white tops or uniforms that blend into light-grey background
• Excessive accessories: Large earrings, facial piercings, scarves or hairstyles covering facial features compromise identification
• Digital alterations: No retouching, filters or digital edits that alter skin tone, remove blemishes or modify natural appearance
• Print medium errors: Use high-quality photographic paper (ISO 14524/24711 compliant); low-grade, glossy or matte prints not meeting standards will be refused
• File format non-compliance: For digital submissions, use JPEG, 4:3 aspect ratio, sRGB color space, minimum 600 dpi, no compression artifacts

Step-by-Step Process

• Verify dimensions and head positioning: ensure the final print measures exactly 35 × 45 mm with no borders and that the head height falls between 32–36 mm (from chin to crown) and is centered vertically and horizontally
• Check background uniformity: use a plain light gray background (RAL 7001) free of shadows or gradients to meet German ID standards and avoid automatic rejection
• Confirm facial expression and pose: maintain a neutral expression with mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight into the camera, and both ears visible to comply with biometric requirements
• Optimize lighting and avoid shadows: use soft, diffused frontal lighting to eliminate shadows on the face and background, positioning lights at 45° angles to achieve even illumination
• Remove glasses reflections and tinted lenses: if wearing glasses, ensure frames do not cover eyes, eliminate glare by adjusting light angle, or remove glasses entirely if reflections persist
• Mind head coverings and hairstyles: remove hats and non-religious headwear and ensure hair does not cover the face or ears; if a head covering is worn for religious reasons, verify that facial features from chin to forehead remain fully visible
• Check image quality and color balance: use a high-resolution camera (minimum 600 dpi scan or 1,200 × 1,600 px digital capture), confirm accurate color rendering with natural skin tones, and avoid any pixelation or compression artifacts
• Validate print medium and finish: print on high-quality, matte photo paper with a smooth, non-reflective finish and ensure no creases, smudges, or ink streaks that could interfere with biometric readers
• Perform final pre-submission review: compare the printed photo against the official DE guidelines checklist, measure dimensions with a ruler, hold it up to a reference template, and reject any copy that deviates before attaching to your application

Tips and Best Practices

• Wrong background color: using dark, patterned or non-neutral backgrounds instead of Germany’s mandated light grey, light blue or white triggers automatic rejection by biometric systems
• Improper head size or positioning: if the head is too small, too large or off-center (should occupy 70–80% of frame height), facial landmarks won’t align and the photo fails quality checks
• Uneven lighting and shadows: harsh shadows, hotspots or uneven illumination distort your facial features, violate ID standards and risk instant disqualification
• Glasses reflections or tinted lenses: glare, reflections or colored lenses obscure your eyes, breach biometric eye-visibility rules and lead to photo rejection
• Non-neutral facial expression or gaze: smiling, frowning or looking away breaks the mandatory neutral expression and straight-ahead gaze requirements, resulting in reshoot requests

Conclusion

Ensuring your German ID card photo meets the strict 35 × 45 mm requirements is crucial to avoid processing delays or outright rejection. By paying close attention to dimensions, lighting, background, and posture—and steering clear of common pitfalls—you can secure a seamless application experience.

• Incorrect dimensions: photo must be exactly 35 × 45 mm with head height 32 – 36 mm
• Improper head positioning: face centered, eyes 22 – 28 mm from bottom edge
• Non-uniform background: plain light grey or pale blue only, no shadows or patterns
• Poor lighting: avoid overexposure, underexposure, harsh shadows or uneven illumination
• Expression errors: maintain a neutral expression with closed mouth, both eyes open
• Glasses mistakes: no tinted lenses, glare-free, frames must not cover eyes
• Image quality issues: high resolution, sharp focus, no blurring or pixelation
• Retouching & attire: no digital alterations, minimal jewelry, hair off face, no head coverings (unless for religious reasons)