In short: A photo on a German CV is legally optional but practically expected — most recruiters still want one. Use a professional studio photo, placed top-right of the CV (or on a cover sheet), classic size 4.5 × 6 cm, portrait. Leaving it off won’t get you rejected, but including a good one is the safer default in most sectors. If you’re applying in the US or UK, do the opposite and omit it.
It’s the detail internationals find strangest — putting your face on a job application feels wrong if you come from an Anglo market. In Germany it’s simply the convention. Here’s what to do.
Do you actually need one?
The honest answer is “not legally, but yes in practice.” Since Germany’s 2006 anti-discrimination law (AGG), an employer may not require a photo, and omitting it is perfectly legal. But the custom persists — surveys put recruiter preference for a photo at around 9 in 10. Omitting it won’t get you screened out, but a good photo is the lower-risk choice in most sectors.
The specs
- Placement: top-right of the CV, or on an optional cover sheet (Deckblatt).
- Size: classic 4.5 × 6 cm, portrait orientation (larger, ~6.5 × 9 cm, if it sits on a Deckblatt; modern square formats also appear).
- File: a high-resolution JPG/PNG (300 dpi) so it prints crisply.
- Cost: a professional shoot typically runs €25–75.
What makes a good application photo
- Professional, not casual. A photographer’s shot — not a cropped holiday snap or a LinkedIn selfie.
- Neutral background (light grey, white or light blue) and professional attire matched to the industry.
- Friendly but composed expression — approachable, not stiff, not overly casual.
The photo is a professionalism signal as much as a picture; a weak one works against you more than none at all.
When to leave it off
- Applying in the US, UK, or other Anglo markets — there a photo can get your application screened out for bias reasons. This is the classic convention that flips between markets, which is why JACVault lets you toggle the photo per layout.
- Explicitly anonymized processes — some employers run anonymized or diversity-focused hiring and ask for no photo. Follow what the ad says.
Austria and Switzerland
The photo is customary in Austria too (top of the CV, around 4 × 5 cm) and expected in Switzerland. So across DACH, a professional photo is the safe default — see the full process guide for the regional details.
Handle it automatically
JACVault places and formats your photo to the German standard — or removes it in one click when you’re applying somewhere it shouldn’t appear. Your first application is free.
Start for free → · The German CV guide · Application glossary
General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed: see the date at the top.