Residence Permit Photo Requirements 2026 – Germany, Switzerland, Austria, UK

Germany applies the strictest residence permit photo requirements in Europe. All German residence titles (Aufenthaltstitel) — regardless of type or purpose — require a photo that meets the BSI PointID quality standard. This covers:

• Limited residence permits (befristete Aufenthaltserlaubnisse) of all categories
• EU Blue Card (Blaue Karte EU)
• Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent residence permit)
• Daueraufenthalt-EU (EU long-term residence status)
• ICT Card and Mobile ICT Card (for intra-company transfers)

BSI PointID is a photo quality framework defined by the German Federal Office for Information Security (Bundesamt für Sicherheit in der Informationstechnik). Photos must be taken by a photographer whose equipment and workflow are certified under this framework. The certification ensures that the photo meets measurable quality thresholds for biometric suitability — including correct exposure, colour balance, head framing, and background uniformity.

A standard printed photo from a photo booth, a pharmacy kiosk, or a smartphone compliance app — even if it visually appears to meet ICAO specifications — is not accepted for German Aufenthaltstitel applications. The Ausländerbehörde will reject any photo that does not come from a BSI PointID certified source.

Swiss residence permits use the standard 35×45mm ICAO biometric photo. The two main categories are:

• Aufenthaltsbewilligung B — temporary residence permit, renewed annually or every two years depending on the holder's situation.
• Niederlassungsbewilligung C — permanent residence permit, issued after a qualifying period of continuous legal residence in Switzerland (typically 5 or 10 years depending on nationality).

Both permits are issued by the cantonal migration office (kantonales Migrationsamt). The photo must meet standard ICAO biometric specifications: white or off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, full face centred and upright, taken within the last 6 months.

For EU/EEA nationals, the Gemeinde (municipality) handles initial registration and often also processes residence permit cards. The photo requirement is the same 35×45mm ICAO format.

Austrian residence titles — including the Aufenthaltsbewilligung (various categories), Rot-Weiß-Rot-Karte (Red-White-Red Card), and Daueraufenthalt-EU (EU long-term residence) — all require a standard 35×45mm ICAO biometric photo.

Applications are submitted at the relevant Magistrat (in Vienna and other cities) or Bezirkshauptmannschaft (district authority in smaller municipalities). The photo must have a white or off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, and have been taken within 6 months of the application date.

The same photo requirement applies to both first-time applications and renewals. Applicants should bring multiple copies of the photo to the appointment in case additional copies are requested.

The UK Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is the main residence document for non-EEA nationals in the UK. Applicants do not supply their own passport photo at any stage of the BRP process. Instead, biometric data — fingerprints and a facial image — is collected in-person at:

• UK Visas and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service points — used for visa applications made from inside the UK.
• Visa Application Centres (VACs) abroad — used for applications made from outside the UK before entry.
• Post Office (for certain in-country applications) — some BRP renewal and extension applications may use the Post Office's Document Certification Service for biometric enrolment.

The biometric image captured at the appointment is used to produce the BRP card itself. Because the image is captured under controlled conditions by trained staff, no self-supplied photo is required or accepted.

The EU Long-Term Residence Permit (Daueraufenthalt-EU) is issued by EU member states to qualifying third-country nationals after 5 years of continuous legal residence. The permit is governed by EU Directive 2003/109/EC, but the administrative submission process — including photo requirements — is determined by each member state individually.

In most EU member states, the EU Long-Term Residence Permit uses a standard 35×45mm ICAO biometric photo. Germany, as noted above, requires a BSI PointID certified photo for its version of this document (the Daueraufenthalt-EU Aufenthaltstitel).

Always check the requirements of the specific EU member state issuing your EU Long-Term Residence Permit before your appointment.

For all countries covered in this guide, the photo requirements are identical whether you are applying for a residence permit for the first time or renewing an existing one:

• Germany: BSI PointID certified photo required at both first application and every renewal at the Ausländerbehörde.
• Switzerland: Standard 35×45mm ICAO photo at both first application and renewals at the cantonal Migrationsamt.
• Austria: Standard 35×45mm ICAO photo at both first application and renewals at the Magistrat or Bezirkshauptmannschaft.
• United Kingdom: Biometric enrolment at UKVCAS (or Post Office) for both new applications and extensions.

The photo must always reflect your current appearance. Even for renewals where your appearance has not changed significantly, a new, recent photo is required.

ID Wizard produces ICAO-compliant 35×45mm biometric photos suitable for:

• Swiss residence permit applications (Aufenthaltsbewilligung B/C) at the cantonal Migrationsamt
• Austrian residence title applications at the Magistrat or Bezirkshauptmannschaft
• German visa applications at German consulates abroad (initial entry visa)
• EU Long-Term Residence Permit applications in most EU member states (excluding Germany)
• Preparation and compliance checking for other ICAO-standard documents

ID Wizard cannot produce BSI PointID certified photos for German Aufenthaltstitel applications. For German residence titles issued by the Ausländerbehörde — including the Niederlassungserlaubnis and Daueraufenthalt-EU — you must use a BSI PointID certified photographer in person.

ID Wizard also cannot replace the biometric enrolment appointment required for UK BRP applications.