Starting from May 2025, Germany’s local and central authorities will accept only digitally available biometric photographs for the issuance of new official documents.
The decision was made following a successful pilot process that was carried out between June and October 2023 at the initiative of the Federal Ministry of the Interior MyBiometricPhotos.com reports.
According to Personalausweis, which operates under the same Ministry, once the change enters into force, applicants for new IDs, passports, and immigration documents will need to submit only biometric photographs taken by the authority or by photographers that meet the requirements.
“Printed photographs will no longer be accepted. This avoids that the photos you bring with you do not meet the biometric requirements and new ones have to be taken – and another appointment in the office,” the Ministry notes in a statement.
The same also claims that the change in procedures will make it easier to file an application for a new ID card, travel document, or immigration papers.
According to the Ministry, the move will make documents more secure too, all while making the process less time-consuming, ensuring that the photographs meet all requirements on the first appointment.
Applicants are warned that if the same reach the German offices in charge of admitting ID, passport, and immigration documents with photographs that do not meet the biometric requirements, a new appointment with the passport or ID card authority will be necessary.
“The biometric requirements for photographs are important to enable secure and quick identification. Citizens should be spared inconveniences, especially during border controls. The capture of biometric data and the unequivocal identification of the applicant are therefore a central part of applying for an identification document from the local authorities,” the Ministry of Interior says.
Since November 2024, applicants for online ID cards have also started to receive PIN letters immediately upon application, eliminating the need for postal delivery. A new legal provision for direct shipping has permitted official documents to be sent to the applicant’s address, cutting the necessity to visit authorities.
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