German Driving Licence (Führerschein) Photo in Ireland

35 × 45 mm · light grey background · Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence authority)

€7.99 digital file · prints in Dublin

Take my German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photo

Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy

Rules last checked against Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence authority) on 12 October 2026.

About this photo

The German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photo accepted by the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence authority) is a 35 by 45 mm portrait. There is no upload step: the photo is handed in as a print with the paper application. Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight into the camera; no uniform. Behind you: plain light grey or plain light colour, lit evenly so no shadow falls on the face or the wall. German driving licence offices still need a printed biometric photo, but at least one office (Stuttgart) says self-made, self-printed photos cannot be used. Frame it so the head takes 32 to 36 mm of the 45 mm height. From a phone picture we produce the German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photo at this size and verify the framing against the Fahrerlaubnisbehörde rules.

Photo requirements

German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photo requirements
Photo size	35 × 45 mm
Background	light grey, also accepted: plain light colour
Head size	70–80% of the photo height (32–36 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Glasses	Allowed. No reflections on the lenses, no tinted lenses or sunglasses; the frame or lens edge must not cover the eyes.
Head coverings	Allowed for religious or medical reasons. Generally not allowed; exceptions mainly for religious reasons, with the face visible from the bottom of the chin to the forehead and no shadows.
Head position	Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
Other rules	The driving licence is an exception to the digital-photo rule: a printed photo is still required, and it must meet the biometric requirements; Stuttgart: self-made and self-printed photos, and digital photos on your own storage media, cannot be used; Face height 32-36 mm from chin to top of head (hair ignored); photos are only refused below 27 mm or above 40 mm; Plain light background, ideally neutral grey (medium grey for light hair, light grey for dark hair), no shadows, no pattern; Print on high-quality paper at a print resolution of at least 600 dpi; colour-neutral; black-and-white or colour; Neutral expression, mouth closed, looking straight into the camera; no uniform

Do

Illustration of an accepted photo: neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera on a plain background — Neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera

Don't

Illustration of a rejected photo: the person is smiling with teeth showing — No smiling with teeth showing

Illustration of a rejected photo: light reflects off the glasses and hides the eyes — No glare on glasses

Illustration of a rejected photo: a shadow falls across the face and background — No shadows on the face or background

Illustration of a rejected photo: the head is tilted to one side — Do not tilt your head

How it works

1. Take or upload a photo
Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.
2. We size and check it
We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.
3. Download and use it
Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Questions about German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photos

What size is a German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photo?

German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photos are 35 × 45 mm. The head should fill 70–80% of the photo height (32–36 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).

What background does a German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photo need?

A plain light grey background (plain light colour is also accepted), with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.

Can I wear glasses in a German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photo?

Yes. No reflections on the lenses, no tinted lenses or sunglasses; the frame or lens edge must not cover the eyes.

Can I smile in a German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photo?

No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.

Can I wear a head covering?

Allowed for religious or medical reasons. Generally not allowed; exceptions mainly for religious reasons, with the face visible from the bottom of the chin to the forehead and no shadows.

Can I take a German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photo at home?

Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by Fahrerlaubnisbehörde (driving licence authority). PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.

How much does a German Driving Licence (Führerschein) photo cost in Ireland?

€7.99 for the digital file, paid once. Prints with pharmacy pickup or delivery in Dublin are also available at selected times.

What if something is wrong with my photo?