Driver's License – 2026 Update

Passport Photo for Driver's License 2026 – Why a Printed Paper Photo Is Still Required

Updated on 17.07.2026

From May 1, 2025, new legal regulations for biometric passport photos apply in Germany. Authorities may only accept digital photos for passports, national ID cards, and residence permits. However, this rule does not apply to the driver's license – a classic printed paper photo is still required here.

Important exception from May 1, 2025 – a printed passport photo is still required for your driver's license!

Create photo now Read more

📅

New rule from

1. Mai 2025

🚗

Driver's license

Exempt

📄

Required photo size

35 × 45 mm

❌

Data-Matrix-Code

Not accepted

What changed on May 1, 2025?

From this date, passport, identity card, and foreigner's registration offices may only accept digital photos for the application of identity documents such as passports, national ID cards, and residence permits. The photo is transmitted digitally using a special process and is assigned a Data-Matrix-Code – similar to a QR code.

Important: This digital rule applies to passports, national ID cards, and residence permits only – not to the driver's license.

Exception: Driver's licenses still require a printed photo

The driver's license is exempt from the new digital regulation. The legislator has not yet provided for a digital photo submission process for the driver's license.

A printed biometric passport photo on paper is still required for the driver's license.
The new digital photo submission rule does not apply to the driver's license.
The photo must comply with biometric requirements (35 x 45 mm, portrait format, neutral facial expression).

Good to know: You can easily create a compliant biometric passport photo at home using our photo generator – then simply print it at DM, CEWE, or Rossmann.

What is a Data-Matrix-Code and why can't I use it?

A Data-Matrix-Code is a digital code (similar to a QR code) attached to a biometric passport photo for digital transmission to authorities. This code is used for passports, national ID cards, and residence permits. If you have already received a photo with such a code, please note:

Photos with a Data-Matrix-Code are specifically designed for digital submission to passport and ID authorities – not for the driver's license.

This format cannot be used for the driver's license – a classic printed paper photo is required here instead.

Already have a photo with a Data-Matrix-Code?: Please bring a classic printed biometric passport photo instead, or include one with your application documents.

How do I get the right passport photo for my driver's license?

For your driver's license, you need a classic biometric passport photo (35 x 45 mm) on paper. You can easily create your photo with our website and then have it printed at any drug store or pharmacy.

Create your biometric passport photo with our photo generator on this website.

Print the photo at DM, CEWE, or Rossmann – easily using your smartphone.

Attach the paper photo to your driver's license application – done!

Step-by-step printing guides: You can find detailed step-by-step guides on how to print your photo at DM, CEWE, and Rossmann in our wiki.

Create a passport photo for your driver's license

Create your biometric passport photo for your driver's license now \u2013 quickly and easily from the comfort of your home.

Create photo now

Conclusion

Even though the rules for passports and national ID cards changed in May 2025, the driver's license still requires a printed paper photo. Create your biometric passport photo online with our photo generator and have it printed at a drug store – quick, convenient, and fully compliant with the requirements.

Official Source

This information is confirmed by the official driver's license authority (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) of Landkreis Tübingen:

kreis-tuebingen.de – Lichtbild für den Führerschein

Create Passport Photo

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙