New legal regulations for biometric photos have been in force since May 1, 2025. According to these regulations, biometric passport photos for ID documents may only be produced digitally directly in the authorities or in certified photo studios and transmitted to the authorities via a secure electronic channel.
The exception valid until July 31, 2025, according to which printed photographs can still be accepted temporarily, has not been extended!
The Stuttgart Immigration Office has at its locations
- Eberhardstraße 39 and
- Jägerstraße 14
have appropriate terminals for biometric passport photos.
Please note: The terminals at the Foreigners' Registration Office are not yet suitable for taking digital photos of small children (up to approx. 4 years of age).
Alternatively, you can have your digital photo taken at a certified photo studio or at dm-drogerie markt. The photos will then be made available to the Immigration Office via a secure, electronic channel. You can find certified photo studios in your area (opens in a new tab) here.
This change is part of the Act to Strengthen Security in Passport, ID and Aliens Law Documents. The aim is to prevent the manipulation of official documents (in particular through so-called morphing techniques) and to further increase security.
Prerequisites
Procedure
Processing time
Fees
Legal basis
Aliens and citizenship law
Service hotline
You have questions? Call us: from any network, without an area code. Authorities number 115: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can usually reach the authorities number 115 at fixed network tariffs and thus free of charge via flat rates. Sign language telephone: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.