In brief
France’s new law tariffs all unsolicited telemarketing calls, with only limited exceptions for existing contracts or prior consent. Consumer advocacy group Que Choisir Ensemble called the change a small revolution in privacy, while business groups warned of administrative burdens and potential job loss. The regulation reflects a broader European push against cold calling, mirroring similar measures in Germany, Austria and Italy.
France has banned unsolicited telemarketing calls, a move praised by consumer groups but criticised by business leaders for its potential to cost jobs and add bureaucratic drag.
Starting Tuesday, companies are prohibited from making phone sales attempts unless they relate to an existing contract or the customer has previously agreed to receive marketing calls. The new law seals the country’s stance that people have a right to “peace and quiet.”
“A thousands‑of‑miles‑long battle against the assumption that a private household is automatically a marketing target ends here.” —Marie‑Amandine Stévenin, president of Que Choisir Ensemble.
Meanwhile, some French trade associations worry about extra paperwork, with members saying that businesses would need written consent and durable proof that consent is in place. Fédérer de la Vente Directe’s head, Frédéric Billon, warned that the change could threaten up to 50,000 jobs in Morocco, where the telephony sector relies heavily on French markets.
Parliamentary research from 2025 found that 97 % of French citizens dislike cold calls, and that 72 % now receive at least one phone call each week, a figure that escalates to daily contact for 38 % of users. The European Union’s approach to limiting cold‑calling is not unique—Germany, Austria and Italy share similar restrictions.
In the United Kingdom lengthier allow calls when the number is not on the Do‑Not‑Call register and the recipient has not objected, but less rigorous controls let businesses still reach potential customers freely.
Consumers, regulators and the telecom industry will watch closely as the ban’s implementation unfolds across France and beyond.
