Digital photographs from May 2025: How to secure your new ID card!

Digital photographs from May 2025: How to secure your new ID card!

From May 1, 2025, digital photographs must be submitted when applying for ID documents in Germany. This affects a wide range of documents, including identity cards, passports and electronic residence permits and travel documents for refugees. Paper-based photographs are no longer permitted in order to increase security and quality when applying for a passport. The regulation aims to prevent manipulation that could be facilitated by techniques such as morphing, which allows the fusion of photos of several people. This was explained in detail by the consumer advice center, which also underlined the importance of digital storage.

From August 1, 2025, submitting digital photographs will be mandatory. Until then, there will be a transition period during which paper photos will still be accepted. The switch to digital photography ushers in a new era for the creation and processing of identity documents. After the photo has been taken, the image is securely encrypted and transmitted to the responsible authority via a certified cloud solution. The images are accessed using an individual data matrix code that is intended to prevent misuse.

Innovations in photography

New biometric photo stations (PointID®) have been installed in several cities, including Fellbach, which enable citizens to easily create digital photographs themselves. These photo stations are located at various locations, including the Fellbach town hall and the Oeffingen citizens' office. Using these stations requires a neutral facial expression and slight head movement. The photo is stored digitally in a forgery-proof manner and linked directly to the application. The fee for taking a passport photo at these stations is 6 euros.

For children under six years of age, it is recommended to bring a digital passport photo that has already been taken from a certified photo studio, as it is not always possible to use the photo stations for infants. From a photographer or photo service provider you will receive a printout with a data matrix code that securely links the image to the application. Self-taken or printed images will not be accepted.

Practical information

In addition to the changes in photography, it will also be possible to send new identification documents by post. From May 2025, citizens will be able to receive their new ID card or passport by registered mail for a fee of 15 euros, which ensures that they are received in person.

The digital capture of passport photos and their encrypted transmission represent progress in the area of ​​data protection. Only authorized authorities have access to the data provided, which is linked to fingerprints and stored on the chip of the new ePerso. Driving licenses are not affected by this new regulation; The option for paper photos remains here.

Further information on the new photo requirements for ID documents is available on the respective authorities' websites and on the ID card portal. Pettendorf reports that... Fellbach also offers comprehensive information on this... Consumer advice center cancels the changes highlight…