Germany Health card 35x45 mm Photo Size Requirements for DE (2025 Update)

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall with no white borders
• Head size: distance from chin to crown between 32 mm and 36 mm to ensure proper biometric capture
• Recentness: photo taken within the last six months reflecting your current appearance
• Background: uniform light gray or white, matte finish, free of shadows, patterns or objects
• Facial expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible, no exaggerated smile or frown
• Eye position: pupils horizontally centered and between 20 mm–30 mm from the bottom edge of the photo
• Lighting quality: even, no harsh shadows, reflections, red-eye or over-exposure on face and background
• Eyewear rules: clear lenses only if medically required, frames must not cover eyes, no glare or tinted glasses
• Head coverings: only permitted for religious reasons, but must not obscure hairline, forehead or facial features
• Attire: everyday clothing with contrast against background; no uniforms, camouflage, or overly bright colors
• Photo print quality: high resolution (≥ 600 dpi), matte or semi-matte paper, sharp detail, no creases or spots
• Digital edits: absolutely no retouching, filters or color corrections that alter natural skin tone or features

Step-by-Step Process

Content about Germany Health card 35x45 mm Photo Size Requirements for DE - process

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact Photo Dimensions: ensure the photo is precisely 35 × 45 mm with a face height of 32–36 mm using a ruler or professional template to avoid automatic rejections due to wrong sizing.
• Central Head Position: keep the head centered with eyes 16–19 mm from the top edge by using alignment guides or visa-photo apps to prevent off-center refusals by authorities.
• Uniform Background & Lighting: use a plain white or light-gray backdrop and diffused lighting to eliminate shadows and reflections that often cause photo quality rejections.
• Neutral Facial Expression: adopt a natural, closed-mouth expression with hair pulled back and remove glasses or headgear (unless religious) to ensure clear identification and avoid retakes.
• Recent, High-Quality Print: print on matte, ISO-certified photo paper within the last 6 months at 300 dpi in a professional lab to prevent blurriness, fading, or glossy overcoats that violate health card standards.

Conclusion

Ensuring your Germany health card photo meets the 35 × 45 mm standards minimizes the risk of rejection and expedites your application process. Below is a concise summary of the key requirements:

• Dimensions: 35 × 45 mm total photo size
• Head size: 32–36 mm from chin to crown
• Background: uniform light grey or white, no patterns or shadows
• Expression: neutral face, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Lighting: even illumination, no reflections or strong shadows
• Photo quality: high-resolution color print on matte or glossy photo paper
• Age of photo: taken within the last 6 months
• Glasses: permitted if frames are thin and lenses clear—no glare or tinted lenses
• Head coverings: only for religious reasons, must not obscure facial features
• Image integrity: no digital alterations or filters, natural skin tones only