Germany School Student ID (Schülerausweis) Photo Requirements 2026
The Schülerausweis is a school-issued ID confirming a pupil's enrolment — not a government document. It needs an ordinary passport-style photo of 35×45 mm on a plain light background; a clearly recognisable frontal portrait is enough and it does not have to be biometric. You usually hand the photo to the school office.
Key details
- Issued by the school, so requirements are looser than for official ID documents.
- A normal 35×45 mm passport photo is sufficient — no biometric standard applies.
- Provide a recent, clearly recognisable frontal portrait on a plain light background.
Shared rules with the country overview
These apply to every document this country issues — see the full breakdown on the country page.
Background
Plain light grey is the official requirement. Pure white is also widely accepted in practice. No patterns, no shadows behind the head.
Expression and eyes
Strictly neutral expression with mouth closed. Both eyes open, looking directly into the camera. Smiling is explicitly disallowed for biometric photos.
Glasses
Glasses are discouraged. If worn, no reflections on the lenses, no tinted lenses, and the eyes must be fully visible. Thick frames covering the eyes will be rejected.
Recency
The photo must have been taken within the last six months and must reflect your current appearance.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Schülerausweis photo have to be biometric? +
What photo size do I need? +
Where do I submit the photo? +
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