Telemarketing : as of August 11, 2026, no more calls without your consent

This is one of the most eagerly awaited changes by French consumers. As of 11 August 2026, a professional will no longer be able to call you to sell you anything without having first obtained your explicit consent. Telemarketing thus shifts from an opt-out approach to a prior consent approach. Concretely, silence no longer counts as authorization: without a clear “yes” from you, the commercial call is simply prohibited.

What the law says precisely

The rule stems from Article 13 of Law No. 2025-594 of 30 June 2025, which rewrites Article L223-1 of the Code de la consommation. Its implementing decree, Decree No. 2026-662 of 23 July 2026, was published in the Official Journal on 25 July 2026 and sets out the practical arrangements for collecting, storing and withdrawing consent.

Until now, France operated under a so-called ‘opt-out’ regime: one could be called unless one had registered on the Bloctel opt-out list. This model is disappearing. Since the absence of action by the consumer is now enough to prohibit the call, the Bloctel list loses its purpose. We are moving to a system where the professional must prove that they indeed have your consent.

Regulated consent, not a mere click

The decree is demanding about the quality of consent. Consent must be free, specific, informed, unambiguous and revocable. When collecting it, the company must present a clear and understandable request containing several mandatory pieces of information :

• the identity of the professional who will contact you ;
• the nature of the goods or services concerned by the solicitation ;
• a separate and unambiguous consent request ;
• the period during which you agree to be contacted, which cannot exceed one year.

Key point: the burden of proof lies with the company. In the event of an inspection, it is up to the company to demonstrate that it held valid consent, and not the consumer to prove that they had accepted nothing.

Severe penalties and weakened contracts

The measure includes a deterrent enforcement component. Telemarketing carried out without consent exposes its perpetrator to an administrative fine of up to €75,000 for an individual and €375,000 for a legal entity. Another direct consequence for the called party: any contract concluded following a non-compliant call is void. A subscription obtained by phone in violation of the new rules therefore has no legal value.

This framework primarily concerns the sectors most prone to telephone prospecting, starting with energy, insurance and mutuals and products related to banking and credit. These professionals must thoroughly review their databases and call scripts.

What this means in practice for you

For the general public, the spirit of the text is simple: fewer unwanted calls and a real right to oversight. Some useful tips to know :

• you no longer need to register anywhere to avoid being solicited: the opposite now applies ;
• you can withdraw your consent at any time, as easily as you gave it ;
• consent given for one sector does not amount to a blank cheque for all others.

This reform marks an important step for everyday consumer protection, rebalancing a power dynamic that long favored telemarketers.

Frequently asked questions

Is telemarketing completely prohibited as of 11 August 2026?

No. It remains possible, but only if the consumer has given prior, free and informed consent. Without this consent, the commercial call is prohibited.

What happens to the Bloctel list?

The move to prior consent renders the opt-out list irrelevant: since an active agreement is now required to call, the absence of registration no longer means that one accepts being solicited.

What should I do if I am solicited without having given my consent?

Any contract possibly signed under these conditions is void, and the company risks an administrative fine of up to €375,000. You can report the practice to the competent authorities.

Sources

• Decree No. 2026-662 of 23 July 2026 — Légifrance
• Le Monde — Telemarketing: consent mandatory as of 11 August
• Code de la consommation, art. L223-1 et s. — Légifrance