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German passport photo in the UK: what the Embassy in London and the Consulate in Edinburgh accept in 2026
Renewing your German passport or ID card in the UK? You need one recent biometric 35 x 45 mm photo for each document. Make it at home and print it on a 6x4 at Boots or Asda.
Short answer: bring one recent biometric photo, 35 x 45 mm, for each document you apply for.
- The German Missions in the UK ask for "1 recent biometric passport photo for each document applied for (no more than three months old)". Passport and ID card together: two photos.
- Our print sheet has six identical photos in a 3 x 2 grid on one 6x4 print. Bring the whole sheet and the staff cut out what they need.
- A UK passport photo has the same size, but the head may be too small for a German passport. Check before you use one.
- 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
From the official sample photo sheet linked by the German Missions in the UK. The same photo works for the passport (Reisepass), the ID card (Personalausweis) and children's passports.
Can I use a UK passport photo? UK and German photos are both 35 x 45 mm, but the rules inside the frame differ. A UK photo may show a head of 29 to 34 mm and a cream background. Germany asks for a face of 32 to 36 mm, ideally on neutral grey. A photo booth or high-street photo made for a British passport is often close, but it may be framed too wide. A photo made for the German rules avoids the question.
Where to apply in the UK
All applications are made in person, by appointment. According to the German Missions in the UK (November 2026):
Embassy London
- For England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar.
- Adults can prepare a passport application online on the Consular Services Portal (pilot). The appointment is still needed for fingerprints.
Consulate General Edinburgh
- Only for people living in Scotland, since February 2025.
- Northern England (Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Tyne and Wear) can use the honorary consul in Newcastle upon Tyne for passports.
Honorary consuls
- Aberdeen, Barrow upon Humber, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Londonderry/Derry, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne and Southampton take passport and ID card applications, if you live in their district.
- Extra fee of €83 per person, paid in pounds. Processing takes about one week longer.
- Plymouth no longer takes applications.
Bring your photos to the appointment. The mission pages don't mention a photo booth or photos taken on site, and without a photo the application can't be taken.
Renewing a German passport or ID card in the UK
According to the German Missions in the UK (uk.diplo.de):
In person, by appointment
- All applicants must attend in person, for identification and fingerprints. Book one appointment per applicant.
- There is no renewal by mail.
- Bring your old passport or ID card: it is cancelled at the appointment.
What to bring
- Originals plus one photocopy of each document.
- The application form and your current German passport or ID card.
- Proof of your UK residence status, and proof of address (utility bill, council tax bill or bank statement).
- Your full birth certificate with your parents' details. Short or abridged certificates are not accepted.
- One biometric photo per document, no more than three months old.
- One Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope (Guaranteed by 1pm, Large Letter up to 500 g), self-addressed and prepaid, per document. Don't use a self-printed postage label: those are only valid for 7 days.
Children
- Children, including newborns, and their parents or guardians must all attend. An absent parent's consent must be certified by a notary, a German authority or a German mission.
- One photo per document. The biometric rules apply from age 6; for children 9 and under the face may be 22 to 36 mm.
- From age 16, an ID card can be applied for without parental consent. For babies, see our baby photo guide.
Fees and processing time
| Document | GBP | EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Passport, age 24 and older (valid 10 years) | £88.90 | €106.00 |
| Passport, under 24 (valid 6 years) | £61.70 | €73.50 |
| Express passport | + £26.90 | + €32.00 |
| ID card, age 24 and older (valid 10 years) | £74.60 | €89.00 |
| ID card, under 24 (valid 6 years) | £59.20 | €70.60 |
Fees are paid by card only: Visa or Mastercard, physically present, no cash, no contactless, no Apple Pay or Google Pay. A passport takes about 5 to 6 weeks in London and 6 to 8 weeks in Edinburgh, or 3 to 4 weeks with express. An ID card takes 4 to 5 weeks in London and 6 to 8 weeks in Edinburgh. Fees as listed on uk.diplo.de in November 2026; the pound amounts follow the exchange rate, so check the fee page before your appointment.
Accepted and rejected photos
Pose
- Head neither tilted nor turned, looking straight at the camera.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open.
- Hair and glasses frames away from the eyes.
Light and background
- Even lighting: no shadows, reflections or red eyes.
- One-colour, bright background, ideally neutral grey. Light grey for dark hair, medium grey for light hair.
- Glasses: no tinted lenses, no flash reflection.
Common mistakes
- Photo older than three months.
- UK booth photo framed too wide: the face is smaller than 32 mm.
- Cream background or a shadow behind the head.
- Selfie at arm's length: distorted face, uneven light.
Make the photo at home, print it at Boots or Asda
No need to find a studio that knows the German rules. 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 a passport, an ID card and spares.
Print a 6x4 and bring the whole sheet
Upload the sheet to Boots Photo, Asda Photo, Max Spielmann or Snappy Snaps and order one 6x4 print. Order a standard photo print, not a "passport photo" product. Bring the whole sheet to your appointment, so the staff can cut out the photos they need.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a German passport photo?
35 x 45 mm, portrait format, without a border. The face, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be 32 to 36 mm tall (70 to 80 % of the photo). For children 9 and under it may be 22 to 36 mm.
Can I use a UK passport photo for my German passport?
Sometimes. Both are 35 x 45 mm, but a UK photo may have a head of only 29 to 34 mm and a cream background, while Germany asks for a face of 32 to 36 mm, ideally on neutral grey. Check the head size, or use a photo made for the German rules.
How many photos do I need for a German passport renewal in the UK?
One recent biometric photo per document, no more than three months old. If you apply for a passport and an ID card, bring two. Our print sheet has six identical photos in a 3 x 2 grid, so the staff can cut out what they need.
Where can I renew my German passport in the UK?
At the Embassy in London (England, Wales, Northern Ireland and more), the Consulate General in Edinburgh (Scotland only), or an honorary consul in Aberdeen, Barrow upon Humber, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Londonderry/Derry, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne or Southampton. Always by appointment.
Does the German Embassy in London 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 post from the UK?
No. All applicants must attend in person for identification and fingerprints. Adults in the London district can prepare the application online, but still need the appointment. The new passport is sent back in the Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope you bring.
Where can I print German passport photos in the UK?
At any photo service that prints standard 6x4 photos, such as Boots Photo, Asda Photo, Max Spielmann or Snappy Snaps. Upload the print sheet and order a regular 6x4 photo print, not a passport photo product.
How much does a German passport cost in the UK?
As listed by the German Missions in the UK in November 2026: £88.90 (€106) from age 24 and £61.70 (€73.50) under 24, plus £26.90 (€32) for express. The ID card costs £74.60 (€89) from 24 and £59.20 (€70.60) under 24. Fees are paid by card only. Honorary consuls charge an extra €83 per person.
How long does it take to get a German passport in the UK?
About 5 to 6 weeks in London and 6 to 8 weeks in Edinburgh, or 3 to 4 weeks with express. Applications through an honorary consul take about one week longer.
Which envelope do I need to bring?
One self-addressed, prepaid Royal Mail Special Delivery envelope (Guaranteed by 1pm, Large Letter up to 500 g) per document. Don't use a self-printed postage label, as those are only valid for 7 days.
Sources
The rules in this article come from the official pages of the German Embassy London and the Consulate General Edinburgh, and the official sample photo sheet they link to. Sources checked on 13 November 2026.
- Passport and ID card applications (over 18 and 16)
- Sample photos for ID cards and passports (PDF)
- Passport and ID card applications (under 18 and 16)
- Fees
- Passport applications with honorary consuls
- Change of consular districts (February 2025)
- Online application (pilot)
Rules and fees can change. Your Embassy, Consulate General or honorary consul and your appointment confirmation are the final word.