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

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exact width 35 mm and height 45 mm, printed to scale without borders
• Head size and position: crown-to-chin height between 32–36 mm, head centered vertically with shoulders included
• Background: plain light-colour (white to off-white), uniform and free of shadows, patterns or objects
• Facial expression: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at the camera
• Lighting and colour: even diffuse lighting, no shadows or reflections on face or background, natural skin tones, no red-eye
• Print quality: high-resolution sharp image on matte or semi-matte photo paper, crisp contrast, no pixelation or printing artifacts
• Glasses: permitted if prescription, frames thin, no glare or tinted lenses, eyes fully visible without frame obstruction
• Head coverings: allowed only for religious or cultural reasons, must not obscure facial features, hairline and ears visible, no shadows
• Photo currency: shot within the last 6 months, reflecting current appearance, no digital retouching or filters
• Digital file specifications: colour JPEG or PNG, minimal compression, 300–600 DPI (≈1 000×1 300 px min.), sRGB colour space, file size 50–500 KB

Step-by-Step Process

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

Tips and Best Practices

• Precise Cropping: Always crop your photo to exactly 35 × 45 mm using a calibrated template or professional software to ensure it fits Germany’s card slot; incorrect dimensions lead to instant rejection.
• Background Perfection: Use a uniform, matte white background without shadows or gradients to meet biometric standards and avoid automated-verification errors that can delay your health card issuance.
• Correct Head Positioning: Position your head so the chin-to-crown distance is 32–36 mm and leave 3 mm between the top of your hair and the photo edge; misalignment can trigger manual rejections at enrollment centers.
• Even, Diffuse Lighting: Illuminate your face evenly from both sides with soft, natural or daylight-balanced bulbs to eliminate shadows and highlights—uneven lighting often causes system-read failures.
• Glasses & Expression Compliance: If you wear glasses, choose thin frames and anti-reflective lenses or remove them; maintain a neutral expression with closed mouth and open eyes—excessive glare or smiles can void a biometric photo.

Conclusion

In summary, the Germany Health Card photo must strictly conform to the 35 × 45 mm passport‐style specifications to guarantee acceptance by DE authorities and avoid application delays.

• Dimensions: exactly 35 × 45 mm with 2 mm white border
• Head size: 33–36 mm from chin to crown, centered vertically
• Eye height: 15–22 mm from bottom edge, gaze straight at camera
• Background: uniform light gray or white, no shadows or patterns
• Expression: neutral face, closed mouth, both eyes open
• Accessories: no hats or headgear (unless for religious reasons), no glasses or visible frames
• Photo age: captured within the last 6 months, original color print or high‐quality digital file
• Image quality: sharp focus, natural skin tones, no red‐eye, unedited

Adhering to these points ensures a compliant, professional‐quality photo that meets German health card requirements. Always verify with the latest official DE guidelines before submission.