Send a Fax Online to Germany — No Subscription, Pay Per Page

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Germany has some of the highest per-capita fax usage in the European Union. Unlike many countries where fax has become a fringe technology, fax remains a standard — and in many cases legally preferred — communication channel across German public administration, healthcare, and the legal system. Datenschutz (data privacy) consciousness plays a significant role: fax's point-to-point transmission, with no intermediate mail servers or cloud storage, aligns well with German privacy expectations under GDPR.

German fax number format

German fax numbers share the same numbering system as landline telephone numbers:

When using an online fax service, select Germany (+49) from the country dropdown, then enter the local number without the leading 0.

Common German area codes for fax lines

City	Area code (local)	International format
Berlin	030	+49 30
Munich	089	+49 89
Hamburg	040	+49 40
Frankfurt	069	+49 69
Cologne	0221	+49 221
Stuttgart	0711	+49 711
Düsseldorf	0211	+49 211

Note: some German cities have multi-digit area codes (e.g. 0221 for Cologne), which means the subscriber number that follows may be shorter. Always use the full number exactly as published by the recipient institution.

Who uses fax in Germany

Finanzamt and tax authorities

The Finanzamt (local tax office) is among Germany's heaviest fax users. Germans regularly fax Steuererklärung (tax return) supporting documents, Einsprüche (objections to tax assessments), and correspondence regarding Einkommensteuer and Umsatzsteuer matters to their local Finanzamt. Each of Germany's 16 federal states operates its own tax administration, and most Finanzämter publish a fax number for written enquiries. If you've received a Bescheid (assessment notice) and need to respond in writing, fax is a reliable channel that creates a transmission record.

Bundesagentur für Arbeit

The Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) accepts faxed documentation for unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld) applications, Kurzarbeitergeld (short-time work benefit) claims, and employer reporting obligations. Regional Agenturen für Arbeit offices publish fax numbers for specific departments. Faxing provides a verifiable paper trail that is particularly valuable for time-sensitive benefit claims.

Krankenkassen and healthcare

German statutory health insurance funds (Krankenkassen) — including AOK, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Barmer, DAK, and BARMER — use fax extensively for processing medical certificates, Krankschreibungen (sick notes), referral authorisations, and reimbursement claims. Hospitals, Facharztpraxen (specialist practices), and Apotheken also exchange prescription and referral information by fax. This is partly driven by legacy infrastructure and partly by the fact that fax satisfies GDPR's requirement for a point-to-point transfer without third-party data processors.

Legal: Anwaltskanzleien and Amtsgerichte

Fax is still considered standard practice in German legal correspondence. Anwaltskanzleien (law firms) routinely fax signed submissions, Schriftsätze (legal briefs), and Vollmachten (powers of attorney) to counterparts and courts. Amtsgerichte (local courts) accept faxed filings for civil, family, and probate matters. Under German civil procedure, a fax timestamped before a filing deadline is generally treated as received on time — making fax's automatic confirmation record legally significant. Many Notare (notaries) and Rechtsanwälte (attorneys) specifically prefer fax over email for formal correspondence.

How to send a fax to a German number

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FAQ

How do I format a German fax number for international sending?

Remove the leading 0 from the area code. A Munich number written as 089 XXXXXXX becomes 89 XXXXXXX when Germany (+49) is selected. A Frankfurt number written as 069 XXXXXXXX becomes 69 XXXXXXXX.

Can I fax to the Finanzamt?

Yes. Use the fax number published by the specific Finanzamt you are corresponding with. Each local tax office has its own number, listed on the Elster portal or the Finanzamt's official page on the state revenue authority website.

Can I fax to a Krankenkasse like AOK or TK?

Yes. Contact your specific Krankenkasse branch or check their website for the department fax number relevant to your enquiry (e.g. Leistungsabteilung for benefits, Beitragsabteilung for contributions).

Why do Germans still use fax so much?

Germany's sustained fax usage reflects a combination of legacy infrastructure, legal recognition of fax as an official communication channel, and genuine privacy preference. Under GDPR, fax's point-to-point nature — with no intermediary cloud servers storing your document — is viewed favourably compared to email. Many German institutions have also been slow to migrate to e-signature or secure document portal alternatives.

How long does a fax to Germany take to deliver?

Most deliveries complete within 2–5 minutes. If the recipient line is busy (common with high-volume offices like Finanzämter), the service retries automatically.

Are my documents deleted after sending?

Yes. Uploaded files are deleted from our servers after delivery. We do not store or share your documents.