Germany Temporary ID Card (Vorläufiger Personalausweis) Photo 2026
The vorläufiger Personalausweis is a provisional national ID card issued on the spot by your local citizens' office (Bürgeramt) when you need an ID quickly — for example while your regular card is being produced. It requires a photo of 35×45 mm in the standard biometric format: frontal view, neutral expression, closed mouth, head 32–36 mm chin-to-crown, plain light background. Unlike the regular Personalausweis it has no chip and is produced locally rather than by the Bundesdruckerei.
Key details
- Photo size and layout follow the 35×45 mm biometric passport-photo standard.
- Because the card is issued immediately at the counter, a printed paper photo is often still used here — practice varies, so confirm with your Bürgeramt whether they need a printed or digitally transmitted photo.
- It is a short-validity emergency document without a chip; the regular Personalausweis follows the full biometric/Bundesdruckerei process.
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
What photo size does the temporary ID card need? +
Do I bring a printed photo or upload it? +
How is it different from the regular ID card? +
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