New regulations for passport photos from 1 May 2025

Since May 1, 2025, new legal requirements for passport photos have been in effect nationwide when applying for identification documents such as identity cards or passports.

Only digital passport photos allowed

Effective immediately, only digital passport photos will be accepted. Paper prints are no longer permitted.

No passport photo taking at the Konz Citizens' Office

The Konz Citizens' Office is unable to take passport photos on-site – there is no photo booth. We therefore strongly recommend having a digital passport photo taken in advance at a certified photo studio or specialist shop. The photo will be digitally created there and sent directly to the responsible authority via a secure cloud service certified by the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). You will also receive a QR code, which you must bring with you to your appointment.

Please check in advance whether the selected studio is connected to the digital transmission system.

Transitional arrangement for paper photos

In certain exceptional cases, paper photographs may still be accepted on a temporary basis – but only if they meet certain technical requirements:

The photo must have a defined minimum resolution.

Paper images that do not meet these requirements may not be used.

Important NOTE: The Konz Citizens' Office does not guarantee the acceptance of paper photographs. To avoid queries or delays in the application process, we strongly recommend having a digital photograph taken. This change is intended to increase document security and, in particular, to prevent manipulation through so-called morphing techniques.

Please note:
Be sure to bring a digital passport photo in the form of a QR code with you to your appointment at the Citizens' Office!