Since August 11, 2026, a simple rule applies in France: no company may call you to sell you something unless you have given your consent. Silence now means refusal. This completely reverses the previous system and marks the end of Bloctel, a service that had shown its limitations for years.

Before: protection you had to seek out yourself

For more than ten years, Bloctel allowed consumers to register on a list to stop receiving marketing calls. In theory. In practice, the calls continued, unscrupulous companies ignored the list, and registration had to be renewed every three years. It was a system that placed the burden on consumers, effectively asking victims to protect themselves.

Now: consent comes first

The law of June 30, 2025, which came into force on August 11, 2026, reverses that logic. Companies must now prove that they have your consent before calling you. That consent must be:

  • Explicit : implied consent or a simple pre-ticked box is no longer enough
  • Freely given and informed : you must know exactly what you are consenting to
  • Revocable at any time : you can withdraw your consent during or after the call
  • Time-limited : consent can remain valid for no more than one year

Companies must keep proof of this consent for at least three years. If there is a dispute, they must prove that you agreed; you do not have to prove the opposite.

Exceptions: when can companies still call you?

The law provides for several situations in which a call remains possible without specific prior consent:

  • Performance of an existing contract : your electricity provider may call you about an issue related to your current subscription
  • Newspapers and magazines : marketing calls for press subscriptions remain permitted
  • Associations and non-profit organizations : they are covered by a specific regime

However, some sectors remain completely prohibited from telephone marketing, even with consent: energy renovation, home adaptations for elderly or disabled people, and the Personal Training Account (CPF). These markets have been particularly affected by telephone scams in recent years.

Calling times and frequency: the new rules

When telephone marketing is permitted, its times and frequency remain regulated. Calls may only take place:

  • From Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays
  • From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Up to a maximum of four calls per month to the same consumer

In other words, late-evening calls and calls on Saturdays or Sundays are prohibited, regardless of the sector.

Much tougher penalties

The previous rules provided for fines of up to €75,000 for an individual. The new law increases the penalties:

  • Up to €75,000 per unlawful call for an individual
  • Up to €375,000 per unlawful call for a legal entity (company)

These amounts apply per call, not per campaign, which significantly changes the level of risk for companies that fail to comply.

What should you do if you still receive unwanted calls?

Despite the law, some calls continue — systems take time to adapt, and some unscrupulous operators persist. Here are your options:

  • During the call : you can explicitly ask to be removed from calling lists and state that you are refusing consent
  • SignalConso : the official government platform (signal.conso.gouv.fr) lets you report companies that do not follow the rules
  • If you signed a contract : any contract concluded following unlawful telephone marketing is automatically void. You can request cancellation at no cost
  • The DGCCRF (Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) is responsible for investigating and imposing penalties

A strong signal for the call-center industry

For legitimate companies that relied on telephone marketing, this change requires a major transformation. Collecting consent, documenting it and managing it over time all create real organizational costs. But it is also an opportunity to rebuild trust with customers by contacting only those who have explicitly said yes.

Serious operators in the sector generally welcome this clarification, which removes abusive practices that damaged the reputation of the entire profession. The end of non-consensual telephone marketing also marks the beginning of consent-based marketing that can work better for everyone.

What you no longer need to do

One useful clarification: there is now nothing you need to do to be protected. You do not need to register anywhere, renew a subscription or add yourself to a list. Bloctel closed on August 11. The basic rule is now prohibition, and companies are responsible for managing their compliance. For you as a consumer, protection is now the default.