In brief
Starting Tuesday, French firms must stop making unsolicited telemarketing calls, unless the consumer has prior consent or an existing contract. Consumer advocates hail the move as a win, while the call‑centre sector and business groups warn of potential job cuts and increased paperwork. The law mirrors similar restrictions in Germany, Austria and Italy, but differs from the UK’s permissive approach.
France has banned unsolicited telemarketing phone calls, hailed as a "small revolution" for the sales industry.
From Tuesday, businesses cannot make unsolicited calls across all sectors, except in a few circumstances: if the call relates to a contract already entered into, or if prior consent to contact for marketing has been obtained.
The consumer advocacy group Que Choisir Ensemble said, "Peace and quiet is a right, and it is time to stop exposing consumers to unwanted solicitations."
Group president Marie‑Amandine Stévenin added that the law also recognises the need for a break from the saturation of marketing demands "online and on street."
The change has spurred backlash from business groups and officials in Morocco, where much of the call‑centre sector depends on the French market. A minister warned the restrictions could eliminate up to 50,000 jobs.
Frederic Billon, head of France’s direct‑selling trade association, criticised the reforms for adding administrative burdens: businesses must obtain written consent and keep proof of it.
A 2025 parliamentary report found that 97% of people find telemarketing calls annoying, and it is one of the few issues that unites French citizens. The report also noted that 72% of the population is contacted on mobile at least once a week, while 38% hears a call each day.
Germany, Austria and Italy have enacted similar restrictions on cold calls. In the UK, calls are generally legal unless the receiver has objected or the number is on a statutory opt‑out list.
