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In this article, you will learn the rules for commercial calls to consumers in France: when you need consent, when you can call, and which numbers you can use with automated dialers.
User level: Admin

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Overview

France has two sets of rules that affect outbound calling:
  • Consent rules: since 11 August 2026, you need a consumer’s prior consent before calling them for sales.
  • Number rules: since 1 January 2023, automated calling systems can only display specific verified number ranges as caller ID.
Both apply to you as the caller. CloudTalk provides the numbers and the calling platform, but it’s each customer’s responsibility to make sure their calls comply. CloudTalk doesn’t block or limit your calls based on these rules. Cold calling consumers in France is now prohibited by default, in every industry. You can only call a consumer for sales in two cases:
  1. They gave you prior consent to be contacted by phone for sales.
  2. The call is about an existing contract and relates to what that contract covers, such as offering a complementary product or an upgrade.
The Bloctel opt-out list no longer exists, because nobody can be called without consent anymore. What valid consent looks like
  • It’s given through a clear, positive action, such as ticking an empty checkbox on a form. Pre-ticked boxes or consent hidden in terms and conditions don’t count.
  • It says what kind of products or services you’ll call about.
  • It lasts for a stated period of one year at most and can’t renew automatically.
  • The person can withdraw it at any time, in a simple way, including verbally during a call.
Keep proof. If someone complains, you have to prove you had valid consent. Keep your consent records for at least 3 years.

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When You Can Call

Commercial calls to consumers are only allowed:
  • Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 20:00 (French time)
  • Never on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays
The only exception is when the person explicitly agreed to be called on a specific date and time outside these windows. How often you can call
  • No more than 4 calls or call attempts to the same consumer in 30 days.
  • If the person refuses during the call, don’t contact them or try to contact them again.

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Which Numbers You Can Use with Automated Dialers

France restricts which numbers automated calling systems can show as caller ID. This applies to automated calls and messages, including parallel dialling and other tools that place calls without an agent dialling each number. Mobile numbers (06, 07) are reserved for person-to-person communication. Use them for calls where an agent dials one number at a time.

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Can I Get a Verified Number from CloudTalk?

For current availability and requirements, see Phone Number Coverage, Requirements, and Functionality.

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What Happens If the Rules Aren’t Followed

  • Fines of up to €75,000 per call for an individual and €375,000 for a company.
  • Contracts signed after a non-compliant call aren’t valid.
  • People can report unwanted calls to the DGCCRF through the SignalConso platform.

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What You Need to Do

  1. Check your consent records. Make sure every consumer you call for sales has valid, current consent, or an existing contract that relates to the call.
  2. Set calling hours. Limit sales campaigns to France to the permitted days and hours.
  3. Pick the right numbers. If you use a parallel dialer or other automated calling, use a verified number as your outbound number. Keep mobile numbers for manual calls.
  4. Handle refusals and withdrawals. Make sure agents record when someone says no or withdraws consent, so they aren’t called again.

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FAQs

Do these rules apply to calls to businesses (B2B)? The consent rules protect consumers, so they don’t cover calls to professionals about their work. Data protection rules (GDPR) still apply to those calls. The number rules for automated dialers apply to all calls, including B2B. If you call sole traders or very small businesses, check with your legal team, because the line between a business and a consumer isn’t always clear. Can I still call my existing customers? Yes, if the call is about their current contract. For example, you can offer an upgrade or a related service. Offering something unrelated needs their consent. Can I use a French mobile number with a parallel dialer? No. Mobile numbers can’t be used as caller ID for automated calling systems. Use a verified number instead.

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Sources

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