Who Still Faxes? And Why?

• Global Business Reliance: As of 2025, about 17% of businesses globally still rely on fax machines for critical operations. This percentage is even higher in sectors like healthcare, legal services, and government, where security, regulatory compliance, and document authenticity are paramount.

• Germany's Persistent Fax Culture: In Germany, 77% of companies still use fax machines, with a quarter using them frequently or very frequently. While this is a decline from previous years, the change is gradual, and faxing remains deeply embedded in business and administrative processes.

• International Hotspots: Countries such as Japan, Germany, the UK, and the US continue to view faxing as essential for secure and verifiable communication. In Japan, for example, fax machines are more common than video game consoles, and in Germany, 82% of businesses reported using fax in 2023.

Why Faxing Is Still So Important in Certain Countries

• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Many jurisdictions maintain laws and regulations that require documents to be sent via fax for them to be considered legally valid. This is especially true in industries handling sensitive data, such as healthcare and finance.

• Security and Proof of Delivery: Faxing provides a tangible proof of transmission and is perceived as more secure than email, which can be vulnerable to phishing and hacking. The ability to generate confirmation pages and maintain a paper trail is a key reason for its continued use.

• Cultural and Institutional Habits: In countries like Germany and Japan, faxing is a longstanding part of business culture and bureaucracy. Many organizations continue to rely on established fax processes out of habit and to meet customer or regulatory expectations.

The Modern Face of Faxing

The way people fax has evolved:

• Digital and Cloud-Based Faxing: Modern solutions allow users to send and receive faxes online, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware and making faxing accessible from any device.

• Integration with Digital Workflows: Faxing is now often integrated with electronic health records, customer management systems, and enterprise software, streamlining processes and improving efficiency.

The Benefits of Online Faxing

• No Need for Physical Machines: Send and receive faxes from your computer, tablet, or smartphone.

• Cost-Effective: Avoid the expenses of hardware, paper, and maintenance.

• Secure and Reliable: Advanced encryption and digital confirmation provide peace of mind.

• Legally Recognized: Online faxes are accepted by authorities and businesses in countries where faxing remains a standard.

Conclusion

Faxing remains a surprisingly common and essential method of communication for many businesses and institutions around the world. Its enduring relevance is driven by regulatory demands, security needs, and cultural practices, especially in countries like Germany and Japan. As faxing continues to evolve, digital and online fax solutions, like Faxfix, are making it easier and more efficient than ever to meet these needs without the hassle of traditional machines.