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

Requirements

• Size & crop: image must be exactly 35×45 mm with head height 32–36 mm and 3 mm top margin above hair
• Background: uniform light-gray to white with no shadows, patterns or objects visible
• Head position: full face centered, eyes level 29–34 mm from bottom edge, directly facing camera
• Expression: neutral with closed mouth, relaxed face, no smiling, no eyebrows raised
• Lighting: even illumination with no shadows, glare, hotspots or red-eye effects
• Glasses: no tinted lenses, frames must not cover eyes, avoid glare on lenses, thin frames only
• Headgear: not permitted except for documented religious reasons, must not obscure any facial features
• Clothing: normal daily attire, no uniforms or camouflage, avoid colors blending into background
• Quality & print: sharp, high resolution on matte photo paper, free of pixelation, creases or scratches
• File format (digital): JPEG, max 10 MB, 24-bit color, minimal compression artifacts
• Photo age: taken within the last 6 months to accurately reflect current appearance
• Retouching: no digital alterations that change facial features or skin texture, maintain natural tones

Step-by-Step Process

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

Tips and Best Practices

• Background uniformity: ensure a plain light/unicolored background (white/light gray) without shadows or patterns to allow biometric systems to isolate your face and meet DE ID requirements
• Head size and position: align the head so crown-to-chin measures 32–36 mm with 3–5 mm between the top edge and hairline; incorrect sizing will lead to photo rejection by German authorities
• Glasses and reflections: remove tinted or thick-framed glasses and angle lighting to eliminate glare on lenses so your eyes are fully visible—essential for both human inspection and machine verification
• Neutral expression: maintain a closed-mouth, neutral facial expression with both eyes open and no raised eyebrows; deviations can impede biometric matching and trigger a retake
• Lighting and contrast: use even, diffused lighting to avoid shadows on the face or background and preserve natural skin tones—uneven illumination can distort features and result in non-acceptance

Conclusion

In summary, a flawless 35 × 45 mm DE Germany ID-card photo hinges on strict adherence to the following:

• Neutral expression: avoid smiling, raised eyebrows or open mouth
• Plain background: uniform light gray or light blue, no shadows or patterns
• Correct head size & position: 70–80 % of photo height, centered and facing camera
• No obstructions: remove hats, headscarves (unless for religious reasons), nonprescription glasses; ensure eyes are fully visible
• Even lighting: no shadows, glare or red-eye; natural skin tones
• Recent capture: taken within past six months to reflect current appearance
• High technical quality: sharp focus, 600 dpi resolution, no pixelation or compression artifacts
• Proper cropping & margins: top of head to chin fits required frame, no cut-offs of hair or chin

By avoiding these common pitfalls, your ID-card application will proceed smoothly without photo rejections.