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German passport photo in Australia: what the Embassy and Consulate accept in 2026
Renewing your German passport or ID card in Canberra, Sydney or at an honorary consul? You need two printed biometric 35 x 45 mm photos. Make them at home and print them on a 6x4 at Officeworks or Kmart.
Short answer: bring two identical, recent, printed biometric photos, 35 x 45 mm, to your appointment.
- The German Missions in Australia ask for "2 identical, recent biometric passport photos", for passports and ID cards alike.
- The face must be 32 to 36 mm tall, on a plain light background, ideally neutral grey. No smiling.
- Our print sheet has six photos in a 3 x 2 grid on one 6x4 print. Bring the whole sheet and the staff cut out what they need.
- You apply in person, by appointment: at the Embassy in Canberra, the Consulate General in Sydney, or an honorary consul.
- The digital-only rule that started in Germany in May 2025 does not apply at missions abroad. Printed photos are still accepted.
The German biometric photo at a glance
The same photo works for the passport (Reisepass), the ID card (Personalausweis) and children's passports. Rules as listed on the mission's passport photo page.
An Australian passport photo is not automatically a German one. Photos from the post office or a chemist are made for Australian rules. Before you pay, check that the photo is exactly 35 x 45 mm, with a face of 32 to 36 mm, on a light grey background. Many shops don't know the German format.
Can I get photos taken at the Embassy or Consulate?
The pages of the German Missions in Australia don't mention a photo booth or photos taken on site. They list the photos among the documents you bring (checked November 2026).
Bring your photos to every appointment. Appointments in Canberra and Sydney are limited, and many people travel from other states. Without photos the application can't be taken, and you have to book again. In the US, where some German consulates do have a booth, applicants regularly find it out of order (see our US guide).
Renewing a German passport or ID card in Australia
According to the German Missions in Australia (australien.diplo.de):
In person, by appointment
- Passports and ID cards can only be applied for in person. Renewal by mail is not possible.
- Apply at the Embassy in Canberra or the Consulate General in Sydney, by appointment.
- Honorary consuls in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne and Perth see people by appointment. The mission lists an extra fee of €102 for accepting and forwarding an application through an honorary consul.
- Passports and ID cards can't be extended. You apply for a new one.
What to bring
- Originals plus one copy of each document.
- Your current German passport or ID card, and your birth certificate.
- Two identical, recent biometric photos, 35 x 45 mm.
- If you are not an Australian citizen: a current VEVO printout, no more than two weeks old.
- Proof of address in Australia: driver's licence, utility bill or rental agreement.
- To get the passport posted back: a self-addressed, stamped, waterproof Australia Post envelope, preferably Express Post with Signature. Paper envelopes are not suitable.
Children
- Both parents and the child must come to the appointment. An absent parent signs a certified consent form.
- Children need two identical photos with a light background. The biometric rules apply from age 6.
- Children's passports were discontinued on 1 January 2024. Children get a biometric passport from birth. For babies, see our baby photo guide.
Fees and processing time
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Passport, age 24 and older (valid 10 years) | €106.00 |
| Passport, under 24 (valid 6 years) | €73.50 |
| Express passport | + €32.00 |
| ID card, age 24 and older (valid 10 years) | €89.00 |
| ID card, under 24 (valid 6 years) | €70.60 |
| Application through an honorary consul | + €102.00 |
Fees are set in euros and converted to Australian dollars at the mission's exchange rate. Cash is accepted only in Australian dollars. Credit cards (Visa or Mastercard, physical card only, no tap-and-go with a phone) are charged in euros. Expect about 6 to 8 weeks for a passport or ID card, or about 3 to 4 weeks with express. Fees as listed on australien.diplo.de in November 2026; check the fee page before your appointment.
Accepted and rejected photos
Pose
- Face the camera, head straight, eyes open.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed. Smiling is not permitted.
- Hair away from the eyes. Both edges of the face visible.
Light and background
- Plain, light background that contrasts with face and hair, ideally neutral grey.
- No shadows, no reflections, no red eyes.
- Glasses: no tinted lenses, no glare. Taking them off is easiest.
Common mistakes
- Australian passport photo that isn't exactly 35 x 45 mm.
- White background with a shadow behind the head.
- Printed on plain paper at home instead of photo paper.
- Selfie at arm's length: distorted face, uneven light.
Make the photos at home, print them at Officeworks or Kmart
No need to find a studio that knows the German format. A standard 6x4 photo print is all you need.
Take the photo
Stand facing a window, in front of a plain, light wall. Ask someone to take the photo from about 1.5 m away, at eye level. Our camera assistant tells you when your head is straight.
Automatic check and crop
The photo is checked against the German biometric rules (head position, eyes, glasses, lighting), cropped to 35 x 45 mm with the right face size, and the background is replaced with plain light grey.
Download the print sheet
You get one sheet with six identical 35 x 45 mm photos in a 3 x 2 grid, laid out for a single standard 6x4 (10 x 15 cm) photo print. That's enough for the appointment and a spare set.
Print a 6x4 on photo paper
Upload the sheet to the photo service at Officeworks, Kmart, Big W or Harvey Norman and order one 6x4 print, often ready within the hour. Order a standard photo print, not a "passport photo" product. Bring the whole sheet to your appointment, so the staff can cut out the two photos they need.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a German passport photo?
35 x 45 mm, portrait format, without a border. According to the German Missions in Australia, the face must be no smaller than 32 mm and no larger than 36 mm, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. The same photo is used for the passport, the ID card and children's passports.
Can I use an Australian passport photo for my German passport?
Only if it meets the German rules: exactly 35 x 45 mm, face 32 to 36 mm, plain light background (ideally neutral grey), no smile. Photos from the post office or a chemist are made for Australian rules, so check the size before you pay.
How many photos do I need for a German passport renewal in Australia?
Two identical, recent biometric photos, for the passport as well as for the ID card.
Can I get passport photos taken at the German Embassy or Consulate in Australia?
The pages of the German Missions in Australia don't mention a photo booth or photos taken on site. They list the photos among the documents you bring, so bring your own.
Does the German Embassy in Australia still accept printed photos after May 2025?
Yes. Since May 2025, offices in Germany only accept digital photos from certified photographers or their own booths. This rule doesn't apply at German missions abroad, which still take printed photos (checked November 2026).
Can I renew my German passport by mail from Australia?
No. Passports and ID cards can only be applied for in person, by appointment, at the Embassy in Canberra, the Consulate General in Sydney or an honorary consul. The new passport can be posted back if you bring a self-addressed, stamped, waterproof Australia Post envelope, preferably Express Post with Signature.
Where can I print German passport photos in Australia?
At any photo service that prints standard 6x4 photos, such as Officeworks, Kmart, Big W or Harvey Norman. Upload the print sheet with six 35 x 45 mm photos and order a regular 6x4 photo print, not a passport photo product.
How much does a German passport cost in Australia?
As listed by the German Missions in Australia: €106 from age 24 (valid 10 years) and €73.50 under 24 (valid 6 years), plus €32 for express. The ID card costs €89 from age 24 and €70.60 under 24. Fees are converted to Australian dollars at the mission's exchange rate. An application through an honorary consul costs an extra €102.
How long does it take to get a German passport in Australia?
About 6 to 8 weeks, or about 3 to 4 weeks with express, according to the German Missions in Australia. These times are not binding.
What is VEVO and do I need it?
VEVO is the Australian government's online visa check. If you are not an Australian citizen, the German mission asks for a current VEVO printout, no more than two weeks old, for passport and ID card applications.
Sources
The rules in this article come from the official pages of the German Embassy Canberra and the Consulate General Sydney. Sources checked on 13 November 2026.
- Passport for applicants over 18 years
- Passport photos
- Passport for minors
- ID card for applicants over 16 years of age
- Fees and payment methods
- Honorary consuls
Rules and fees can change. Your Embassy, Consulate General or honorary consul and your appointment confirmation are the final word.