Can I take a Germany passport photo with my phone?

Not for an application in Germany. There the photo must be produced electronically by a photo service and sent securely to the authority, or taken by the authority. A printed photo is accepted only at a German mission abroad that cannot take the photo electronically; the regulation does not say who may take that photo.

Germany

Germany passport photo size

The published requirements, and how the photo is produced and submitted.

Requirements

Photo size	35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) This size applies only to applications at a German mission abroad, when the mission cannot take the photo electronically. For applications in Germany, the photo is produced electronically: by a photo service that sends it to the authority through a secure procedure, or by the authority itself.
Head height	70–80% of the photo height
Background	Plain background required. The authority does not specify a particular colour. Recommended, not required: a uniform grey background between #A1A1A1 and #E1E1E1 (BSI TR-03121).
Retouching	Not allowed. The photo must not be digitally altered beyond cropping.
Background replacement	Not allowed. Shoot against a plain, evenly lit wall.
Where to take it	In Germany: a photo service produces the photo electronically and sends it securely to the authority, or the authority takes it. A printed photo is used only at a mission abroad.

Glasses are allowed, but there must be no glare on the lenses.
Neutral expression, mouth closed.

Source: Bundesministerium des Innern. Rules change — check the issuing authority before you submit.

How the passport photo is submitted

Submission

An authorised photo provider sends the photo to the authority electronically.
muss der Fotograf ab dem 1. Mai 2025 das angefertigte Lichtbild in eine gesicherte Cloud hochladen personalausweisportal.de
You submit a code or number issued by the photo studio.
Sie erhalten den Ausdruck eines Data-Matrix-Codes personalausweisportal.de
Applications at an embassy or consulate: a printed photo is submitted.
Bitte bringen Sie daher weiterhin ausgedruckte aktuelle biometrische Passbilder mit. wien.diplo.de

Questions

What size is a Germany passport photo?: 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in).
Can I take a Germany passport photo with my phone?: Not for an application in Germany. There the photo must be produced electronically by a photo service and sent securely to the authority, or taken by the authority. A printed photo is accepted only at a German mission abroad that cannot take the photo electronically; the regulation does not say who may take that photo.

How it differs from other Germany documents

Driving licence — same published size, background, digital file and capture rules as this document
Visa — same published size, background, digital file and capture rules as this document
ID card — same published size, background, digital file and capture rules as this document

Related tools and guides

Applying for a Germany Passport?

In Germany the photo is produced electronically by a photo service or by the authority. PhotoSpec is not used for that route. A printed photo applies only at a German mission abroad that cannot take the photo electronically.

All supported countries