You can take passport photos at several types of places depending on your location: In Berlin:
- Bürgeramt (citizen office) and Ausländerbehörde (foreigners' office) have self-service photo kiosks costing about 6€. However, you should bring printed photos as kiosks might sometimes not work
- Professional photographers who are approved to take biometric photos, usually charging around 15€. They provide a QR code for digital submission to authorities
- Photo booths (e.g., Fotofix) are available but their photos are generally not accepted by Bürgeramt or Ausländerbehörde for official use
- Photography studios like Berlin Photo Studio offer professional biometric passport photos compliant with EU, US, UK, and visa requirements
- Other options include specialized photo shops such as 1A FOTO near Alexanderplatz or Picture People studios that provide biometric photos
In the United States (general guidance):
- Pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens offer passport photo services with quick turnaround, costing around $16.99. CVS usually takes about 10 minutes, Walgreens up to an hour
- Retail stores such as Walmart provide photo services at lower prices (~$7.44), with no appointment needed and quick service
- Target offers printing of passport photos but no photo-taking service; photos must be uploaded online and delivered by mail
- Shipping centers like FedEx and UPS also provide passport photo services
- Online services and apps (e.g., PhotoAiD, Passport Photo Online) can create compliant passport photos digitally for about $16.95
In Munich:
- Professional photo studios like Photogenika offer biometric passport photos at two locations (Westend and Ostbahnhof) with appointments and quick service. They follow official biometric requirements and provide both printed and e-passport photos
Summary
- For quick and accepted passport photos in Germany, use Bürgeramt kiosks, approved photographers, or professional photo studios.
- Avoid photo booths for official documents in Berlin.
- In the US, pharmacies, retail stores, shipping centers, and online apps are common and convenient options.
- In Munich, specialized photo studios provide professional biometric photos with appointment options.
Choose the option that fits your location, budget, and urgency best
