France has banned unsolicited telemarketing calls, a move hailed by consumer groups as a “small revolution” for the sales industry.
Starting Tuesday, businesses across all sectors can no longer cold‑call the public. Calls are allowed only if the caller relates to an existing contract the customer has entered or if the company has obtained prior written consent to market.
“Peace and quiet is a right, and it is time to stop exposing consumers to unwanted solicitations,” says Que Choisir Ensemble, the consumer advocacy group behind the push.
Marie‑Amandine Stévenin, group president, added that the initiative ends the automatic assumption that every home resident is a potential customer.
While many French people welcomed the ban, business groups have expressed concerns. The direct‑selling trade association FVD’s head, Frédéric Billon, warned of new administrative burdens and the need for record‑keeping of consents.
The law comes amid a 2025 parliamentary report that found 97% of respondents were annoyed by tele‑marketing calls, and 72% reported being contacted at least once a week on their mobile phones.
The restrictions may also affect the call‑centre industry in Morocco, where a government minister estimated up to 50,000 jobs could be lost.
Across Europe, countries such as Germany, Austria and Italy already impose restrictions on cold calls. In the UK, most telemarketing calls remain legal if the recipient hasn’t objected and isn’t on a statutory opt‑out list.
