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

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: 35 × 45 mm exactly, with a tolerance of ±1 mm to ensure proper printing and card fitting
• Head size and position: head height (chin to crown) must be 32–36 mm, with 4–6 mm space between top of hair and top edge of the photo
• Background: uniform light colour (white or light grey), free of patterns, textures, shadows or objects
• Facial expression: neutral look with closed mouth, both eyes open and clearly visible, no smiling or frowning
• Head orientation: full front view, head centered and straight, no tilt or turn, both ears visible if possible
• Lighting and contrast: even illumination on face, no shadows, red-eye or glare, natural skin tones without colour casts
• Glasses: clear, non-tinted lenses only, frames must not cover eyes or cast shadows, no heavy rims or reflections
• Head coverings: only for religious or medical reasons, face must remain fully visible from chin to forehead and from ear edge to ear edge
• Print quality: high resolution (min. 600 dpi), sharp focus, no visible pixels, scratches or ink smears
• Paper quality: durable photo paper (min. 200 g/m²), matte or glossy finish, no creases or folds
• Colour and contrast: true-colour image with natural contrast, no over- or under-exposure, clear distinction between subject and background
• Digital manipulation: only minimal adjustments allowed (e.g., brightness/contrast); no retouching that alters facial features or skin texture
• Child photo exceptions: for children under six neutral expression optional, but face must still be fully visible and eyes open
• Recentness: photo must be taken within the last six months to reflect current appearance

Step-by-Step Process

• Determine official specifications: confirm your Germany health card photo must be 35 × 45 mm, color, printed at 600 dpi, taken within the last 6 months and compliant with ICAO/biometric standards
• Prepare background & lighting: set up a plain white or light-gray background with even diffused lighting to eliminate shadows, hot spots or color casts
• Position the subject: place the head square to the camera, center the face, ensure eye‐to‐top distance is 16–20 mm and chin‐to‐crown height is 32–36 mm for correct biometric framing
• Capture the image: use a high‐resolution camera on tripod at eye level, ask the subject to maintain a neutral expression, mouth closed, remove glasses, headwear (unless religious) and avoid hair covering the eyes
• Edit and crop precisely: import the photo into editing software, verify resolution is 600 dpi, crop to exactly 35 × 45 mm with no borders, maintain aspect ratio and head size tolerances
• Print or export correctly: if printing, use certified smooth photo paper and a color‐calibrated printer; if digital, save as high‐quality JPEG with minimal compression and embed ICC profile
• Perform quality control: measure printed or digital output to confirm 35 × 45 mm, inspect for color accuracy, uniform lighting, no red-eye, reflections or wrinkles, and ensure facial features are sharp
• Submit following guidelines: attach the photo to your health card application without staples or folds, write your name and date of birth lightly in pencil on the back, and include a spare copy for backup

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact Dimensions: Use a photo measuring precisely 35 × 45 mm with a head height of 32–36 mm to ensure the card printer aligns your portrait correctly and avoids automatic rejections
• Centered Composition: Position your face frontally in the middle of the frame with eyes at two-thirds height so all facial features are fully visible and nothing is cropped off
• Neutral Background: Choose a plain white or light-grey, shadow-free backdrop to meet biometric standards and prevent scanner misreads that cause processing delays
• Even Lighting & No Glare: Use soft, diffused lighting to eliminate harsh shadows or reflections on skin and glasses, ensuring your eyes and facial contours are clearly captured for ID verification
• Natural Expression & No Accessories: Maintain a relaxed, neutral expression with mouth closed and remove glasses or decorative headwear (unless for religious reasons) to comply with German regulations and avoid costly retakes

Conclusion

Key Takeaways – Germany Health Card Photo (35 × 45 mm)

• Photo dimensions: 35 mm wide × 45 mm high with ± 1 mm tolerance
• Biometric standards: full-face, neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, directly facing camera
• Head size & positioning: face height 32–36 mm; distance from top of photo to hairline 3–5 mm
• Background & finish: uniform light (grey/white) background; matte, high-quality photographic paper
• Prohibitions & allowances: no headgear (except permitted religious coverings); no glasses, shadows, reflections
• Validity & submission: photo taken within last 6 months; submit per KV-West or AOK specifications to avoid delays