France implements strict new consent laws for telemarketing

A new law in France, effective August 11, 2026, has fundamentally changed the regulations surrounding B2C telemarketing. Under Law No. 2025-594, businesses are now strictly prohibited from contacting consumers via telephone without their prior and explicit consent.

This reform replaces the previous logic where the absence of an objection—such as being registered on the Bloctel service—was sufficient. Companies must now be able to prove that the individual contacted has actively agreed to be solicited. This shift significantly impacts traditional referral models, as a client can no longer implicitly authorize a company to contact a friend or relative by simply providing their details.

While the law imposes strict requirements on most sectors, certain exceptions remain, such as prospecting for newspapers, periodicals, and magazines. Marketing and sales departments are now required to redesign customer acquisition processes to ensure compliance is integrated from the start of the consumer journey.