Telephone canvassing in France has never been more regulated. With the regulatory changes of 2024-2025, companies prospecting by phone face stricter rules and heavier penalties. Here's everything you need to know to stay compliant.
What is Bloctel?
Bloctel is France's Do Not Call registry, created by the Hamon Law of 2014 and managed by Opposetel on behalf of the French government. Any consumer can register for free to stop receiving unsolicited commercial calls. More information on the official Bloctel website.
As of January 2025, over 6 million numbers are registered on Bloctel. For businesses, this means a legal obligation: verify that your prospecting files do not contain these numbers before making any call. This requirement is part of the broader framework of GDPR applied to phone marketing.
Rules in Effect in 2025
Authorized Calling Hours
Since the decree of October 13, 2022 (effective March 1, 2023), canvassing calls are strictly regulated:
- Authorized days: Monday to Friday only
- Authorized hours: 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 8pm
- Prohibited: weekends and public holidays
⚠️ Note: these hours apply to the recipient's time zone, not the caller's.
Call Frequency
The same consumer cannot be contacted more than 4 times within 30 days by the same company. After an explicit refusal, it is strongly recommended to stop all contact for at least 60 days to minimize sanction risk.
Prohibited or Heavily Regulated Sectors
Certain sectors face specific restrictions on telephone canvassing (source: Service-Public.fr):
- Energy renovation: complete ban since July 1, 2025, extended to home adaptation (disability, aging)
- CPF training: heavily regulated sector with specific prohibitions and restrictions. See our guide on CPF and abusive marketing: how to stay compliant
- Supplementary health insurance: heavily regulated, with bans in certain cases (especially after contract termination)
🚨 What Changes in 2026: The End of Bloctel
Law No. 2025-594 of June 30, 2025 introduces a major change: from August 11, 2026, the principle will be a general ban on telephone canvassing to consumers, except:
- Prior explicit consent (opt-in)
- Existing contract with the consumer
Bloctel will then be phased out in favor of this new opt-in regime. Businesses should start preparing for this transition now.
Penalties in 2025
Fines for Bloctel non-compliance have been significantly increased. For a complete overview of recent sanctions, see our article on Bloctel sanctions 2024-2025 and record fines.
| Type of Violation | Maximum Fine |
|---|---|
| Calling a Bloctel-registered number | €75,000 (individual) |
| Calling a Bloctel-registered number | €375,000 (company) |
| Non-compliance with calling hours | €75,000 / €375,000 |
| Repeated calls despite refusal | €75,000 / €375,000 |
In 2023, the DGCCRF imposed over €4 million in fines on companies violating these rules.
How to Stay Compliant?
1. Systematically Verify Your Files
Before any prospecting campaign, your files must be checked against the Bloctel list. This verification must be renewed regularly.
2. Strictly Respect Calling Hours
Schedule your calling campaigns between 10am-1pm and 2pm-8pm, Monday to Friday only.
3. Keep a Refusal Registry
Every prospecting refusal must be recorded with the date. In practice, block all new contact for at least 60 days.
4. Train Your Teams
Your sales representatives and telemarketers must know these rules. Documented training can serve as proof of good faith during inspections.
5. Monitor Your Numbers' Reputation
A number flagged as "spam" by consumers or carriers can compromise your entire campaign. Verification tools like HUHU allow you to monitor in real-time if your numbers are blacklisted.
The Special Case of Existing Customers
Good news: Bloctel does not apply to calls to your existing customers, within an ongoing contractual relationship. You can contact your customers for:
- Contract follow-up
- Offers related to their previous purchases
- After-sales service
However, if a customer explicitly asks not to be contacted, you must respect this wish.
FAQ
Does Bloctel apply to B2B?
No, Bloctel only concerns canvassing of individuals (B2C). Calls between professionals are not covered by this regulation.
How much does Bloctel access cost?
Access is paid for businesses. The rate depends on the volume of numbers to verify, with subscriptions adapted to each company size.
What are the risks during an inspection?
The DGCCRF can conduct unannounced inspections. If a violation is found, you risk an administrative fine of up to €375,000 for a company, plus potential reputational damage.
How do I know if my number is flagged as spam?
Carriers (Orange, SFR, Free, Bouygues) and anti-spam apps (Hiya, Truecaller) maintain their own lists. To understand the differences between these solutions, see our French carrier anti-spam comparison. Professional services like HUHU instant verification allow you to check the status of your lines.
Will Bloctel disappear?
Yes, from August 11, 2026, a new opt-in regime will replace Bloctel. Only consumers who have given explicit consent can be canvassed.
Conclusion
Bloctel 2025 regulations require businesses to exercise increased vigilance in their telephone canvassing practices. Between record fines, time restrictions, and regulated sectors, compliance is no longer an option but a necessity.
And with the switch to opt-in planned for August 2026, the entire telephone canvassing model will be transformed. Businesses should anticipate this change now.
For call centers and sales teams, the solution involves systematic file verification, strict compliance with calling hours, and continuous monitoring of your prospecting numbers' reputation.
Sources: Bloctel.gouv.fr, Service-Public.fr, Law No. 2025-594 of June 30, 2025
⚠️ Disclaimer:<\/strong> The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only. Regulations change regularly and their interpretation may vary. HUHU is not a law firm. We recommend consulting a legal professional for any questions regarding your specific situation.<\/em><\/p>
