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Student ID Photo in Germany 2026: University Requirements

Updated on 04.11.2026

For a German student ID, also called Studierendenausweis or campus card, you usually upload a digital photo to your university's portal. Each university sets its own rules. Here are the requirements of 12 universities side by side.

None of the 12 pages explicitly requires a biometric photo. Four even say it doesn't have to be one.
Create student ID photo See the requirements
Aspect ratio
Usually 3:4
File
Usually JPG
Biometric?
Usually not needed
Submit
Usually online

What universities ask for

There is no single rule, but the 12 university pages show a clear pattern:

  • Aspect ratio: 8 of the 12 universities state 3:4 or about 3:4. The classic 35 × 45 mm passport format is slightly wider, and depending on the portal it gets cropped or distorted on upload.
  • File format: 6 universities only mention JPG. A JPG is your safest choice, as PNG doesn't work everywhere.
  • Not biometric: KIT, Kiel, Hannover and Siegen explicitly say a biometric photo isn't needed. RWTH deliberately skips part of the passport photo rules.
  • Clearly recognisable: you are alone in the photo, your face is uncovered and well lit, and the background is calm.
  • No joke photos: RWTH and Siegen explicitly name grimaces as unsuitable.
Rules on facial expression differ: RWTH explicitly allows a smile, while the University of Koblenz asks for a neutral expression. A relaxed face with your mouth closed works for both.

The requirements of 12 universities compared

The table shows what the universities themselves say (checked on 4 November 2026). Each name links to the original page. "Not stated" means we found nothing about it on that page.

University File Ratio Size Notes
RWTH Aachen (BlueCard) JPG 3:4 Min. 212 × 283 px, max. 10 MB Smiling allowed, grimaces not. Background as neutral as possible.
TU Munich (StudentCard) JPG or PNG About 3:4 Min. 102 × 135 px, max. 500 KB Face fills 70–80% of the image height.
University of Münster JPG, PNG and others 3:4 Ideally 480 × 640 px, min. 240 × 320 px, max. 9 MB Similar to a passport photo recommended. Background without shadows.
KIT Karlsruhe (KIT-Card) Not stated 3:4 Min. 260 × 346 px Not biometric. Page from 2018.
University of Kiel (CAU Card) JPG, PNG accepted 3:4 Width 210–450 px, height 280–600 px Not biometric. Face fills 60–90% of the image height. Page from 2018.
University of Koblenz (UniCard) JPG 3:4 Min. 450 × 600 px, max. 2 MB Neutral expression. Photo at most two years old.
University of Hannover (LeibnizCard) JPG, PNG or BMP Cropped on upload Min. 201 × 272 px Not biometric. Don't send by post or email.
University of Siegen (USiCard) JPG 4:3 (examples are portrait) Max. 1 MB Not biometric. Neutral background, face only.
University of Hildesheim (UNI card) JPG 3:4, e.g. 480 × 640 px Max. 50 kB Face only, preferably a white background.
University of Mainz (JGU ID) Not stated Not stated Min. 200 × 200 px, max. 10 MB Photo for the digital ID in the app.
DHBW Karlsruhe JPG Not stated Min. 200 × 200 px, max. 5 MB Plain, light background.
DHBW Villingen-Schwenningen JPG Portrait, ideally 3:4 Max. 5 MB Upload through the form before your studies start.
Your university isn't listed?: Search for your university's name plus "Foto hochladen" or the name of the card, such as BlueCard or Campuscard. The rules are usually on the student services pages or in the upload portal itself.

How to take the photo yourself

A phone is enough. These steps meet the most common requirements:

1
Stand in front of a light, plain wall, with some distance so that no shadow falls on it.
2
Use even light, ideally daylight from the front. Direct sunlight and flash create harsh shadows.
3
Have someone take the photo at eye level, or use the self-timer. Selfies from close up distort your face.
4
Look straight into the camera. Keep your face uncovered, with no sunglasses or headwear (except for religious reasons).
5
Crop the image to 3:4 portrait, save it as a JPG and check your university's file size limit.

Do it yourself for free or use our tool?

If your photo turns out well and you can crop it yourself, you don't need to pay anything. Our tool saves you that work for €6.99:

  • It automatically crops the photo to 450 × 600 pixels (3:4). That meets the minimum sizes of all 12 universities in the table.
  • It replaces the background with a plain one.
  • It checks sharpness, exposure and visible eyes, among other things, before you pay anything.
  • You get a JPG file for the upload, plus a print template in case you need paper copies.
Check before you upload: The decision is up to your university, so take a moment to compare its rules. Our test file was around 50 kB, which is too close to Hildesheim's 50 kB limit.
Create student ID photo

Your student ID photo in a few minutes

Upload or take a photo, see the preview and only then decide. 3:4, JPG, 450 × 600 pixels.

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Frequently asked questions

Does a student ID photo have to be biometric?

Usually not. KIT, Kiel, Hannover and Siegen explicitly say a biometric photo isn't needed, and none of the 12 pages we checked explicitly requires one. Your university's rules are what counts.

Can I smile in the photo?

It depends on the university. RWTH Aachen explicitly allows a smile but not grimaces. The University of Koblenz asks for a neutral expression. Most of the pages we checked don't mention it.

What size does the photo need to be?

The most common requirement is a 3:4 portrait ratio. Minimum sizes range from 102 × 135 pixels at TU Munich to 450 × 600 pixels at the University of Koblenz. Kiel allows at most 450 × 600 pixels. Maximum file sizes also vary widely, from 50 kB in Hildesheim to 10 MB at RWTH.

Can I use my biometric passport photo?

Often yes, and the University of Koblenz even calls passport photos particularly suitable. But a 35 × 45 mm passport photo isn't exactly 3:4. Check whether the portal lets you crop it, otherwise the image may be squashed.

Is a phone photo allowed?

None of the pages we checked rules out phone photos. What matters is that you are clearly recognisable. Make sure you have good light, a calm background and enough distance from the camera.

What happens if the photo isn't suitable?

Each university has its own process. At RWTH you have to get a new photo taken at the BlueCard Service Point for €10. In Siegen, joke photos have to be replaced with a suitable one at your own expense. The University of Koblenz points out that a wrong aspect ratio can distort the image.

Is a Studentenausweis photo the same as a Studierendenausweis photo?

Yes. Studentenausweis, Studierendenausweis and names like Campuscard, BlueCard or LeibnizCard all mean the same ID. The rules depend on the university, not the name.

Conclusion

A clearly recognisable 3:4 portrait as a JPG works at most of the universities we checked. A biometric passport photo usually isn't needed. Before uploading, take a moment to check your university's rules, especially file size and facial expression.

Sources

The information comes from the university pages linked in the table (as of 4 November 2026). The KIT and Kiel pages date from 2018 and may be out of date. Passbild-SelberMachen.com is a private provider and isn't affiliated with the universities mentioned.

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