Digital Passport Photo Implementation Faces Initial Challenges in Certain Localities
Germany Transitions to Digital Passport Photos Nationwide
As of August 1, 2025, all German states have fully transitioned to requiring digital passport photos for official ID documents, following the expiration of the transition period on July 31, 2025. This change aims to improve image quality, secure transmission, and expedite administrative processes.
During the transition period (May 1 to July 31, 2025), applicants were allowed to submit either digital or paper photos. From August 1, all citizens’ offices and immigration offices in Germany require digital photos submitted via a QR code, which can be captured at PointID terminals, designated photo studios, or drugstores such as DM.
The Federal Printing Office has adapted the software, and the systems are now running stably. However, some regions, such as rural areas, may face delays in receiving the necessary equipment due to travel time exceeding half an hour. In such cases, these areas can continue to use paper photos for passports and ID cards until September 30.
The German Association of Towns and Municipalities anticipates the initial slow rollout by the Federal Printing Office to improve soon. Some municipalities in Bavaria use other systems or do not offer photo services at the citizen's office, while others in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern have received only 56 percent of the expected devices from the Federal Printing Office's photo terminals. Many authorities in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern use photo booths from other manufacturers.
The change in requirements has led to increased costs for municipalities, with applicants' fees, advice, and expenses already tight. Cities are facing higher costs in personnel and energy, and Schuchardt, the head of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, has demanded that the federal government raises the fees for applicants to prevent municipalities from being left behind by rising costs.
The costs for documents in foreigner's offices have already increased by almost five euros. Employers dealing with residence permits are advised to ensure that employees use digital photos to prevent application delays. The change aims to enhance security against forgeries and streamline the application process.
[1] Bundesdruckerei [2] Bundesdruckerei [3] Bundesdruckerei [4] Deutsche Presse-Agentur [5] Deutsche Presse-Agentur
As the German government encourages a digital switch, applicants might want to explore using other technology-based solutions for capturing their digital passport photos, such as the PointID terminals or photo-taking apps, to ensure they meet the QR code requirements and avoid delays. To accommodate rural areas with longer travel times, the Federal Printing Office has extended the use of paper photos for such regions until September 30, 2025.
