French citizens can now report any unwanted call, companies face fines up to €375,000
Replacing the ineffective registry, France introduces a system of mandatory consumer consent before any marketing contact.
Replacing the ineffective registry, France introduces a system of mandatory consumer consent before any marketing contact.
On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, France introduced drastic changes to the way companies can contact citizens, establishing one of the strictest telemarketing rules on the European continent. The core of the new law is a shift in responsibility: businesses can no longer randomly dial numbers but must obtain explicit consent from the person they wish to call in advance.
The previous model, known as "Bloctel," required citizens to register their numbers in a state database if they did not wish to receive sales calls. Consumer protection associations have warned for years that call centers routinely ignore this registry. The new regulations turn things upside down and introduce a so-called "opt-in" system.
"Companies are prohibited from contacting consumers without their prior consent," explained Alice Vilcot, chief of staff at the Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Prevention. She emphasized that consent can be withdrawn at any time, and the burden of proof lies entirely with the calling company.
Penalties for violating the rules are set extremely high to serve as a deterrent. Individuals making an illegal call risk fines up to €75,000, while legal entities may face up to €375,000 per violation. Additionally, any contract concluded based on such unauthorized contact will be considered void.
The seriousness of the authorities in enforcing these measures is illustrated by a case from last year, when a company based in Ireland had to pay €6 million for violating earlier, milder regulations. Citizens can now easily report any unwanted call through a dedicated government website.
The authorities' response came after years of complaints and growing public anger. It is estimated that as many as three-quarters of French residents received at least one unwanted sales call per week, and many faced a veritable flood of such harassment. The situation culminated earlier this year when 11 consumer protection organizations jointly demanded a complete ban on telemarketing.
In their condemnation, they highlighted the "merciless harassment of consumers through countless unwanted telemarketing calls to landlines and mobiles, an intrusion that has become a regular part of their lives." The French parliament approved the law last year, signaling an end to tolerance of previous practices.
The law also provides for certain exceptions: companies can still call clients with whom they already have a contractual relationship to offer new services. Calls are also permitted if the citizen has given explicit consent, for example by ticking a box on a form.
While most countries rely on "opt-out" mechanisms, France has opted for a more aggressive "opt-in" model, hoping it will yield tangible results in preserving privacy. This move not only represents one of the strictest telemarketing regulations in Europe but could also become a template for similar legislative initiatives across the European Union.
