Digital passport photos in Munich: New ID, new rules from May 2025!

Digital passport photos in Munich: New ID, new rules from May 2025!

From the beginning of May 2025, the paper will end: If you want to apply for a new ID or passport in Munich, you have to do this with a digital passport photo. This regulation not only applies locally, but nationwide, and primarily serves to avoid manipulations when applying for the application. Like tz.de reports, the digital images can be taken in citizens' offices or certified photo studios for around six euros. Customers can also use drugstores such as DM that offer the same service.

The DM area manager in Munich emphasizes that the experiences of customers with the new system are mostly positive. Nevertheless, there are also some stumbling blocks. Many people are not yet informed about the new requirements, and so a mother, Daniela Pohl, had difficulties when her picture was rejected due to a shadow. Others, like the customer Omar, were able to successfully use their digital passport photo to submit it to the consulate the following day.

transition period and new security

From May 1, 2025, all passport photos for identity cards and passports must be submitted in digital form. The aim of this measure is to significantly improve security and at the same time increase the quality of the passport photos. As the Consumer Center should be digital passport photos, for example through a procedure called morphing, morphing, for example prevent in which photos of several people can be combined for a new picture.

The regulations stipulate that the digital passport photo is made available either directly in the authority or via a secured transmission route by a photo studio. You get a QR code in the photo studio, which enables the image to be called up at the authority. In addition, the images must meet the requirements for biometric photos that are strictly checked by the passport authorities.

technical developments and challenges

In addition to technical progress, the Tagesschau Until July 31, 2025 have a transition period, in which conventional paper photos are also accepted. From August 2025, all inquiries with digital photos must take place. However, the changeover also has challenges for photo studios that have to adapt their equipment to the new requirements, which can bring costs of several thousand euros.

For citizens: Inside who have no access to smartphones or the Internet, there is the possibility to be photographed directly in the passport authority, for a fee of six euros. A total of up to 10,000 photo terminals in the authorities should be available to support digital recording. Shipping the ID card or passport by post is also new and costs 15 euros.

Overall, the new regulation shows a clear trend towards more security and efficiency when applying for passport. The switch to digital passport photos is a step that should not be underestimated in a modern, networked world. The time will show whether we have to get used to the new customs, but it is clear: paper has had its day!