German passport photo 2026: digital only, no self-made photo
Since May 2025 a German passport or ID card photo reaches the office digitally, from a photo terminal or certified photographer. Self-made photos are not used.
Passport and ID card: a digital photo from the office or a certified photographer
Since 1 May 2025 the photo for a German passport (Reisepass) or identity card (Personalausweis) only reaches the office digitally. You either have it taken on a photo terminal at the Bürgeramt, or a certified photographer sends it there for you; the drugstore dm offers this too. Self-made or printed photos cannot be used, according to stuttgart.de. Paper photos were only tolerated until 31 July 2025.
Foto2Pass cannot help with these two, and we do not sell a German passport or ID card photo.
What to do
- Ask your Bürgeramt whether it has a photo terminal, and book your appointment.
- Or go to a certified photographer, who sends the photo to the office.
Driving licence: still a paper photo
The licence office still asks for a paper photo. We sell that one as prints only. It is not confirmed that a self-made photo is accepted, so check with your Führerscheinstelle first.
More on our Germany passport photo page.