France Bans Unsolicited Telemarketing Calls With Heavy Fines

France has implemented a new law banning unsolicited telemarketing calls, shifting the country from an opt-out registry system to a mandatory prior consent framework. The legislation, which entered into force on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, prohibits businesses from making unsolicited marketing calls to consumers who have not explicitly given their prior consent.

The law, backed by President Emmanuel Macron's government, was adopted by the National Assembly and the Senate on June 30, 2025, and formally promulgated by the president. It replaces the former Bloctel opt-out system, a national registry similar to the U.S. Do Not Call list, which consumer groups said was routinely ignored by non-compliant call centers. Under the new rules, companies are prohibited from contacting consumers without their prior consent, which can be withdrawn at any time.

The government stated the law is a response to years of consumer complaints. Authorities estimate that about three-quarters of people in France receive at least one unsolicited sales call every week. A 2025 parliamentary report found that 97% of the French population reported being annoyed by daily cold calls. In 2024, 11 consumer...