A German court has ruled that Germans are allowed to stick their tongues out in their passport photos.

The ruling comes after 30-year-old Alexander Mechthold appealed against his local passport office's decision to reject a passport photo showing him sticking his tongue out.

"It's a tribute to my hero, Albert Einstein," Mechthold explained, alluding to a famous photograph showing Einstein in a similarly irreverent pose.

The official in Arnsberg refused to accept the picture for Mechtold's new passport, telling him it was illegal.

But Mechthold took the case to court. It found there was no rule in Germany which stated passport photos couldn't show people with their tongue stuck out.

Mechthold was told he could use the photo - and was issued a new passport.

He did, however, have to sign a statement revoking his right of recourse should he ever encounter problems with border patrol officers because of the photo.