𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐥ä𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐞𝐡ö𝐫𝐝𝐞

As of July 14, 2025, printed biometric passport photos will no longer be accepted at major immigration authorities in Germany.

This change is part of the Act to Strengthen Security in Passport and ID Systems, which came into force on May 1, 2025

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰:

Starting mid-July, biometric photos must be submitted digitally, either:

Taken directly on-site at immigration offices using PointID self-service kiosks (fee: €6), or

Provided digitally via certified photo studios or drugstores, which securely transmit the image and issue a QR code to bring to your appointment (the QR Code is valid for 1 month)

Printed photos are no longer accepted at the Ausländerbehörde or Bürgeramt 𝐛𝐮𝐭:

𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬:

Technical issues have occurred at some locations during the initial phase.

Until local systems are fully operational, applicants are strongly advised to bring a printed backup photo or schedule for a studio visit that can generate a QR code in advance

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐁𝐈𝐒 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧 – 𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚ß𝐞

At the Berlin BIS location in Fasanenstraße, the transition is already fully implemented:

Only digital photos are accepted.

No printed photos whatsoever are allowed.

Important tip for families: We recommend having the biometric photos for smaller children taken well in advance and submitting them digitally. This saves time and reduces stress during the appointment.

Tax Return Time in Germany? Don’t go it alone!

Filing your taxes here isn’t just smart—it’s often mandatory.

To avoid stress (and fines!), it’s best to get help from the pros.

We explain why working with a certified Steuerberater is worth it—and even share a list of English-speaking tax advisors to make the process easier.

Click here to read the full article.

A Day for the Kids – Supporting Schutzengelwerk

This Wednesday, we spent a meaningful day at SchutzengelWerk gGmbH in Hohenschönhausen, where we had the chance to connect with local children in a warm and playful setting. Together, we prepared and shared a healthy lunch (wraps – always a hit!) and later got creative making keychains with little guardian angels.

This wasn’t just a volunteer day – our CEO Karen Wilde generously counted this as a regular workday and donated our time to Schutzengelwerk, enabling us to give back in a very personal way.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: 

Schutzengelwerk supports children who are growing up in challenging circumstances. They provide care, attention, and structure – things that every child deserves, but not all receive. Their work is essential and deeply needed.

If you'd like to support them too, donations can be made via their website.

➡️ Even small contributions help make a big difference.