Digital passport photos from May 2025: Chaos or chance for citizens?

Digital passport photos from May 2025: Chaos or chance for citizens?

From May 1, 2025, there is a significant innovation in the application for sovereign identity documents: The times of paper -based passport photos are over. This regulation affects both passports and personnel cards. The reason for this change? The prevention of manipulations, for example by morphing techniques that can endanger the safety of the ID documents. Radibor from this day, photographs can only be sent electronically by photo studios via secured transmission paths to the registration offices.

The transition period until July 31, 2025 stipulates that paper photos will continue to be accepted, but from August 2025, only digital submission will be possible. In addition, photos in the citizens' offices can no longer be printed out; Instead, the pictures that are saved for up to four days are electronically absorbed on site. This service is offered with a low price of 6 euros and is already used in numerous cities in the country. Great news for everyone who will soon need a new ID!

Problems with implementation?

Especially in larger cities, problems could arise. Current reports from Merkur are sufficiently prepared. Cities like Nuremberg and Kassel could lead to delays in passing due to the lack of photo machines and planned delays. It looks around in cities like Frankfurt, where all offices are equipped with the necessary terminals.

Digital passport photography is not just a measure to avoid difficulties; It also increases the safety and quality of the passport photos. The consumer center emphasizes that with the introduction of the digital images, the risks of manipulations during the passage are significantly reduced can. This is done by an encrypted transmission and an automated biometric suitability check of the images.

where do you get the digital passport photo?

But how do you get a digital passport photo? The possibilities are diverse. According to the new guidelines, photos can be taken in certified photo studios, drugstores such as DM or directly in the authorities. The latter offer special photo terminals that are directly connected to the registration office. To use these external services, you get a data matrix code that must be presented when the application.

In response to the innovations, the authorities recommend that you take care of digital passport photos in good time. Because the rush could increase noticeably, especially in the first few weeks after the new regulations come into force.

also important to know: The shipping of travel passes or identity cards can take place from May 2025 for a fee of 15 euros by registered mail, which makes personal collection superfluous.

Do you have any questions about the new regulation or the application process? The registration office in Radibor is reliably available. You can reach Ms. Lehmann on 035935/21637 or by e-mail to registerstelle@radibor.de.

summarized, the upcoming changes are a step towards more security and user -friendliness. But above all, all future applicants should inform themselves in good time and exploit the new possibilities to avoid unnecessary delays.