Do you need a photo on a German CV?
No, but most applicants still add one. The Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) states that employers may no longer demand an application photo, and also notes that photos remain entirely customary. Some employers ask for anonymised applications, with no photo and no details that reveal gender or origin. Follow that request exactly.
The agency's guidance on the photo itself: recent, professional, slightly larger than a passport picture (about 4 × 6 cm), placed at the top right of the CV. Selfies are, in its words, a no-go. The full set of German rules (tabular layout, signature, certificates) is in the German CV format guide.
Is a CV photo expected in Austria?
It is customary but optional. The Austrian public employment service (AMS) describes a photo as usual in German-speaking countries but not mandatory, and under the Equal Treatment Act (Gleichbehandlungsgesetz) no employer may insist on one. If you use a photo, the AMS asks for a current picture with a friendly expression.
Date of birth and nationality are your choice in Austria too. The Austrian CV guide covers the Dienstzeugnisse (employer references) Austrian employers expect alongside the CV.
Do Swiss employers expect a photo on a CV?
Yes, in most cases. EURES describes a Swiss application as a CV that includes a photograph, and the Swiss public employment service (SECO, on arbeit.swiss) notes that a CV with photo plus a covering letter is enough for a first email contact. Swiss CVs also usually show date of birth, nationality and a work permit if you hold one.
The Swiss application is a dossier: covering letter, tabular CV, and copies of work references (Arbeitszeugnisse) and diplomas. The Swiss CV format guide goes through each part and the three language regions.
How do the three countries compare on photos and personal details?
The photo norm is similar in all three, and the legal position is clearest in Germany and Austria: an employer cannot require it. Switzerland treats it as part of a normal application. Personal details follow the same pattern. Compare that with the US, where the EEOC says employers should not ask applicants for a photograph at all.
| Country | Photo | Personal details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Customary; employers may not demand one | Date of birth, nationality, marital status still common, your choice | Bundesagentur für Arbeit; EURES |
| Austria | Customary; no employer may insist on one | Optional; leave out religion and politics | AMS |
| Switzerland | Part of the usual application | Date of birth, nationality, permit usual | EURES; SECO |
| United States | Leave it off | No age, marital status or religion | EEOC |
What kind of photo works on a German-language CV?
A head-and-shoulders portrait, recent, in clothes you would wear to the interview, against a plain background. Look at the camera. Crop it as a portrait rectangle, not a circle, unless your template uses one. Avoid holiday photos, cropped group shots and heavy filters. The photo should show you as you will look on the day.
- Taken in the last year or two.
- Head and shoulders, facing the camera.
- Plain, light background.
- Clothes that match the industry: a suit for banking, smart casual for most tech roles.
- Placed top right, next to your personal details.
- Removed from the CV for anonymised applications and for US or UK employers.
The general guide to photos on resumes covers other countries.
Which Ruubu templates have a photo, and can Ruubu make one?
Ruubu's photo templates include Profile (round photo) and European (3:4 portrait). The photo panel in the editor reminds you that US and UK employers expect none. With the Resume Pass or Pro, the AI headshot generator turns your own selfies into business portraits that keep your face, features and glasses, and changes only clothes, background and light.
An AI headshot is an edited image, not a biometric photo, so never use it for passports, visas or ID. Selfies and portraits are deleted automatically after a set period, or when you choose Delete now. See the AI headshot generator and the photo templates in the template gallery.
Frequently asked questions
Will leaving the photo off hurt my application in Germany?
Usually not, especially at larger and international employers. Some smaller employers still expect one. An application without a photo is never wrong under German law.
Should the photo go on the cover letter or the CV?
On the CV, top right. A separate cover sheet (Deckblatt) with a larger photo is optional in Germany and less common today.
Do Swiss employers expect a professional photographer?
They expect a professional-looking photo. A good portrait taken against a plain wall in daylight can work; a selfie at arm's length does not.
Do I need a photo for an English-language job at a multinational in Germany?
Follow the posting and the company. Many international teams accept either. When in doubt, a photo is still the local norm.
Can I use an AI-generated portrait on my CV?
Yes, if it looks like you today. A portrait that changes your face misleads the employer, and they will notice at the interview.
Is a photo required on a Europass CV?
No. The Europass format has a photo field, but it is optional.
Sources
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit (German Federal Employment Agency): Bewerbung schreiben. Checked October 25, 2026.
- European Commission, EURES: Living and working conditions: Germany. Checked October 25, 2026.
- SECO, Arbeitsmarkt / Arbeitslosenversicherung (arbeit.swiss): Wie bewerbe ich mich richtig? Praktische Tipps (PDF). Checked October 25, 2026.
- European Commission, EURES: Living and working conditions: Switzerland. Checked October 25, 2026.
- U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices. Checked October 25, 2026.
Related answers and guides
- What CV format should I use when applying for jobs in another country?Answers
- How do I translate my resume into another language without losing ATS keywords?Answers
- Should I put a QR code on my resume?Answers
- Swiss CV formatCountry guide
- Austrian CV formatCountry guide
- AI headshot generatorFrom your own selfies
- Should you put a photo on your resume?Guide