When applying for an identity card or passport at the office, you will need
before 1 May a printed passport photo,
after 01.05. the QR code of an e-passport photo.
Current information from the KVR Munich can be found at stadt.muenchen.de/news/digitale-passbilder.html.
Information from the BMI (Federal Ministry of the Interior and Home Affairs) on this topic: https://www.bmi.bund.de/SharedDocs/kurzmeldungen/DE/2025/04/neue-passbilder.html
(blue box in the middle: Transitional arrangement: paper passport photos can still be accepted until 31 July 2025)
Since May 2025, a lot has changed in the creation of passport photos. At least when applying for identification documents such as ID cards and passports. Or should we say that almost everything has stayed the same? Because from the customer's perspective, the only thing that has changed is the method of image transmission. And we'll be happy to take care of that for you in the future, too.
In any case, the Federal Ministry of the Interior has introduced new guidelines to increase the security of our identification documents. In the future, only e-passport photos transmitted digitally to the authorities will be accepted for ID card and passport applications.
But what does this mean for you as a customer? And why should you Have your e-passport photo taken by a professional photographer like Photogenika?
Why e-passport photos?
That new law is designed to prevent one thing above all: image manipulation. By taking photos on site under supervision and directly transmitting the digital passport photos, so-called morphing, i.e. combining several faces to create a new artificial image, is made impossible.
E-passport photos are required for identification documents and residence permits such as identity cards, passports, electronic residence permits or travel documents.
Your choice: photo studio or authority
As before, you will have the choice: You can either have your e-passport photo sent directly to an authority or at a certified photographers, such as PhotogenikaPhotogenika has dealt intensively with the new requirements of e-passport photos and offers you a simple, secure and convenient process for creating and transmitting your digital passport photo.
Your advantage when taking photos in a photo studio compared to the office
- E-passport photo available for 6 months
- E-passport photo can be used multiple times, e.g. for passport and identity card
- We also take e-passport photos for babies and toddlers that meet the requirements
- For people who wear glasses, we photograph your e-passport photos individually without glare and reflections
- in office only 96 hours
- your e-passport photo can only be used once in the office, new process = new recording
- Taking pictures of babies and toddlers is difficult at the self-service machine in the office
- People who wear glasses may have problems with reflections and glare at the ATM in the office
- , e.g. also for driver's license conversion / application, health insurance, etc.
The e-passport photo procedure in detail
- Professional creation: Our experienced photographers will create your passport photo according to the highest quality standards and all official requirements.
- Secure storage: We store the finished image in encrypted form on a highly secure cloud server.
- Easy transfer: Using a QR code (key to your photo, which we will give you), you can easily present your e-passport photo to the authorities.
- Highest security: Through our certification and registration of the procedure a maximum level of security is guaranteed.
The benefits for you
For you as a customer, (almost) nothing will change. The only change: Instead of a passport photo, you will now submit your QR code to the German authorities.
- Beautiful passport photos: Compared to the machines in the government offices, you can get really nice passport photos from us.
- High quality: Professional passport photos that meet the highest standards.
- Security: Protection against image manipulation and secure transmission of your data.
- Comfort: Simple process and quick transmission of the image to the authorities.
- Flexibility: You can have your e-passport photo created by us at any time.
Why Photogenika?
As your trusted partner in photography, we are happy to assist you. With our new e-passport photo process, we offer you a secure, fast and convenient solution for your digital passport photos. We do it for you!
And how much should an e-passport photo cost? Prices for our e-passport photos can be found here.
Conclusion:
From the customer's perspective, only the method of transmitting the photo changes from printed to digital. Only certified photo studios or offices can create e-passport photos. During an initial transitional period, some offices will accept both printed and digital passport photos.
The switch to digital e-passport photos is an important step towards increasing the security of our identification documents. Take advantage of the new process and have your passport photo taken by a certified photographer such as Photogenika.
Schedule your next Appointment for e-passport photos at Photogenika and get professional advice.
We look forward to you!
