France is revolutionizing its approach to phone solicitation with groundbreaking legislation. The law passed on June 30, 2025, introduces mandatory prior consent starting August 2026—a first in Europe. Here's everything you need to know about these new regulations.
The New Consent Framework: A Complete Shift
Starting August 2026, telemarketers will no longer be able to call consumers without their explicit prior consent. This fundamental change shifts France from an opt-out system (where consumers must actively register on the Do-Not-Call registry) to an opt-in model.
This means companies must now obtain clear agreement before making any commercial call—a significant departure from previous practices.
According to the French data protection authority (CNIL), consent must meet four strict criteria: it must be freely given, specific, informed, and unambiguous. Pre-checked boxes or bundled consents will no longer be accepted.
💡 What's changing: Before August 2026, you can call unless the prospect is registered on the Do-Not-Call list. After August 2026, you can only call if the prospect has explicitly said "yes."
Immediate Ban on Energy Renovation Calls
The legislation includes an immediate measure effective July 1, 2025: a complete ban on phone solicitation for energy renovation services and home adaptation for disability or aging. This sector, plagued by aggressive and often fraudulent practices, is now entirely off-limits for cold calling.
Violations result in immediate sanctions, including prosecution for abuse of vulnerability with enhanced penalties under the new legislation.
End of Number Spoofing: The MAN System
As of January 1, 2026, the Number Authentication Mechanism (MAN) is fully operational. This technical solution tackles caller ID spoofing—where scammers display fake numbers to appear legitimate.
Key implications:
- Calls from French mobile numbers (06/07) made from abroad are automatically masked if not authenticated
- All four major French carriers (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free) participate in the system
- Fraudulent call centers operating overseas face significant barriers
⚠️ For businesses: If you use offshore call centers, verify that your numbers are properly authenticated with your carrier. Otherwise, your calls may never connect.
Substantial Penalties: Up to €420,000
The French consumer protection authority now wields enhanced enforcement powers. Violations can result in fines up to €420,000—a deterrent designed to ensure compliance even among larger organizations.
Priority enforcement sectors include:
- Professional training (CPF scams)
- Energy renovation
- Insurance and mutual funds
- Energy suppliers
France: Europe's Unwanted Call Capital
Why such drastic measures? France holds an unfortunate record: 44% of received calls are unwanted—the highest rate in Europe, tied with Spain.
The Do-Not-Call registry (Bloctel), launched in 2016, hasn't been enough. Over 5 million French citizens are registered, but violations remain frequent.
Current Legal Calling Hours
While awaiting full implementation of the new rules, existing regulations remain in force:
- Permitted days: Monday to Friday only
- Permitted hours: 10 AM–1 PM and 2 PM–8 PM
- Maximum attempts: 4 calls per month to the same number
- Prohibited: Weekends and public holidays
What Businesses Must Do Now
- Check if your numbers are flagged as spam (verify your numbers)
- Implement explicit consent collection mechanisms
- If using offshore call centers, verify MAN authentication for your numbers
- Document all consents obtained (proof required in case of audit)
For continuous monitoring, monitoring solutions help anticipate problems.
Key Dates to Remember
| Date | Measure |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2025 | Ban on energy renovation telemarketing |
| January 1, 2026 | MAN activation—blocking unauthenticated 06/07 calls from abroad |
| August 2026 | Mandatory prior consent for all telemarketing |
Sources: CNIL (French Data Protection Authority), ARCEP (French Telecom Regulator), Bloctel (Do-Not-Call Registry)
