France has enacted a ban on unsolicited telemarketing calls, a move consumer advocates are calling a "small revolution" for the sales industry. Effective Tuesday, businesses across all sectors are prohibited from making cold calls.
Exceptions to the ban include calls related to existing contracts or for companies that have obtained prior consent from individuals for marketing purposes. Consumer advocacy group Que Choisir Ensemble stated that "peace and quiet is a right" and emphasized the need to shield consumers from unwanted solicitations, noting the pervasiveness of such demands both online and in public spaces. The group hailed the change as a victory for the majority of French citizens who do not wish to receive sales calls.
The new law has met with criticism from some business groups and officials in Morocco, where the call center sector is significantly dependent on the French market. Reports indicate that Moroccan officials estimate the telemarketing restrictions could lead to the loss of up to 50,000 jobs. The head of France's direct-selling trade association, the Fédération de la Vente Directe (FVD), also voiced concerns, citing increased administrative burdens for businesses. He noted that companies will now be required to obtain written consent from customers and maintain proof of that consent.
A 2025 parliamentary report highlighted the widespread public sentiment against telemarketing, with 97% of respondents expressing annoyance. The report also indicated that 72% of French people received at least one telemarketing call on their mobile phones weekly, and 38% reported receiving daily calls.
Several European countries, including Germany, Austria, and Italy, already have significant restrictions on telemarketing. In the United Kingdom, most telemarketing calls are permitted as long as the recipient has not objected and their number is not registered on a list of individuals who do not wish to receive such calls.