> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.botbrains.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# AI Phone Call Laws by Country

> Where can an AI agent make cold calls? Compare consent rules for automated B2B and B2C calls, do-not-call registers, and AI disclosure in the EU, the UK, and the US.

export const reviewed_0 = "October 2026"

Whether your AI agent may call someone depends on three questions: who you call, why you call, and where they live. Inbound calls and service calls work almost everywhere, as long as your AI agent says it's an AI. Outbound marketing calls by an AI agent need the prior consent of the person you call in most countries, often for businesses too. This section has a page for each EU member state, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

<Note>
  This page summarizes the law as of {reviewed_0} to help you plan AI phone calls. It isn't legal advice. Laws and how regulators apply them change, so check your use case with a lawyer before you start a campaign.
</Note>

## How the rules work in the EU

Every EU country page builds on the same layers. The EU rules set the floor, and national laws add their own rules on top.

| Layer | What it requires | Applies to |
| - | - | - |
| [EU AI Act, Art. 50](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202401689#art_50) | Your AI agent says it's an AI at the start of every call. | Every call, inbound and outbound, since August 2, 2026 |
| [ePrivacy Directive, Art. 13](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2002/58/oj/eng) | Marketing calls by automated systems without human intervention need prior consent. For marketing calls by a human, each country chooses between opt-in and opt-out. | Individuals, including sole traders. Many countries extend it to businesses. |
| [GDPR](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2016/679/oj/eng) | A lawful basis for using phone numbers and recordings, proof of consent, and an unconditional right to stop marketing calls. | Every call that involves a person's data |
| [Consumer Rights Directive, Art. 8(5)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/83/oj/eng) | Name your company, anyone you call for, and the commercial purpose at the start. | Sales calls to consumers |
| National law | Do-not-call registers, call recording, calling hours, caller ID and number rules, and sector bans. | Varies by country |

## AI agents as automated calling systems

Most likely yes, so treat AI marketing calls like automated calls. The ePrivacy Directive requires consent for automated calling systems that work without human intervention. An AI agent that runs the whole conversation fits that description, even though it holds a real conversation. The Croatian telecommunications regulator has banned sales calls by voice automatons, and the Italian telemarketing code of conduct treats automated lead qualification as automated marketing.

No court has ruled on a conversational AI agent yet, and in Germany lawyers disagree. A human who presses **Dial**, listens in, or can take over doesn't change the answer, because the AI agent still conducts the call. In Austria, the Czech Republic, and Poland, the question doesn't matter: every marketing call needs consent there, whether a human or an AI agent calls.

## Compare countries

The table compares cold marketing calls, where the rules differ most. Most countries allow service calls without marketing.

* <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> **Allowed.** You may call until the person or company objects or joins the do-not-call register.
* <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> **Consent required.** You need prior consent before the first call.
* <Icon icon="scale" color="#2563eb" /> **Depends.** The rule depends on the sector or the situation. The country page explains it.
* <Icon icon="circle-dashed" color="#6b7280" /> **Unclear.** No court or regulator has settled it, so we recommend consent.

When a rule differs within a column, labels show who each icon covers. In Croatia, for example, your AI agent may call companies without consent, but sole traders need to consent first.

| Country | AI agent to consumers | AI agent to businesses | Human to consumers | Human to businesses | Do-not-call register |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| [Germany](/concepts/phone/countries/germany) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-dashed" color="#6b7280" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="scale" color="#2563eb" /> presumed consent | None |
| [Austria](/concepts/phone/countries/austria) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | None |
| [Switzerland](/concepts/phone/countries/switzerland) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> listed, no asterisk<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> others | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> listed, no asterisk<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> others | [Asterisk in the phone directory](https://www.seco.admin.ch/de/unerbetene-werbeanrufe) |
| [United Kingdom](/concepts/phone/countries/united-kingdom) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | [TPS and CTPS](https://www.tpsonline.org.uk/) |
| [United States](/concepts/phone/countries/united-states) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> written | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> mobiles<br /><Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> landlines | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | [donotcall.gov](https://www.donotcall.gov/) |
| [Belgium](/concepts/phone/countries/belgium) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | [Ne m'appelez plus](https://www.donotcallme.be/en) |
| [Bulgaria](/concepts/phone/countries/bulgaria) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | None |
| [Croatia](/concepts/phone/countries/croatia) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | [Registar NE ZOVI](https://www.hakom.hr/hr/e-registar-ne-zovi/224) |
| [Cyprus](/concepts/phone/countries/cyprus) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | None |
| [Czech Republic](/concepts/phone/countries/czech-republic) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | None |
| [Denmark](/concepts/phone/countries/denmark) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="scale" color="#2563eb" /> by sector | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | [Robinsonlisten](https://www.cpr.dk/kunder/robinsonlisten) |
| [Estonia](/concepts/phone/countries/estonia) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | None |
| [Finland](/concepts/phone/countries/finland) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | [Puhelin-Robinson](https://asml.fi/kieltopalvelut/), industry list |
| [France](/concepts/phone/countries/france) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> switchboards<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> named employees and sole traders | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | None, Bloctel closed in August 2026 |
| [Greece](/concepts/phone/countries/greece) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | Article 11 registry of each phone provider |
| [Hungary](/concepts/phone/countries/hungary) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-dashed" color="#6b7280" /> | None |
| [Ireland](/concepts/phone/countries/ireland) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> landlines<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> mobiles | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> landlines<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> mobiles | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> landlines<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> mobiles | [National Directory Database](https://www.comreg.ie/advice-information/directory-enquiry-services/) |
| [Italy](/concepts/phone/countries/italy) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> listed numbers<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> others | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> listed numbers<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> others | [Registro pubblico delle opposizioni](https://registrodelleopposizioni.it/) |
| [Latvia](/concepts/phone/countries/latvia) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | None |
| [Lithuania](/concepts/phone/countries/lithuania) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | None |
| [Luxembourg](/concepts/phone/countries/luxembourg) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | None |
| [Malta](/concepts/phone/countries/malta) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | None |
| [Netherlands](/concepts/phone/countries/netherlands) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | None |
| [Poland](/concepts/phone/countries/poland) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | None |
| [Portugal](/concepts/phone/countries/portugal) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | [DGC list](https://www.consumidor.gov.pt/informacao-publicidade/lista-de-pessoas-coletivas-para-nao-rececao-de-comunicacao-nao-solicitadas-marketing-direto) for companies |
| [Romania](/concepts/phone/countries/romania) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-dashed" color="#6b7280" /> | <Icon icon="circle-dashed" color="#6b7280" /> | None |
| [Slovakia](/concepts/phone/countries/slovakia) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | [Nevyžiadané volania](https://www.nevyziadanevolania.sk) |
| [Slovenia](/concepts/phone/countries/slovenia) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | Ban icons in the [phone directory](https://itis.siol.net/prepoved_klicev) |
| [Spain](/concepts/phone/countries/spain) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> work-related offers | [Lista Robinson](https://www.listarobinson.es) |
| [Sweden](/concepts/phone/countries/sweden) | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> companies<br /><Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> sole traders | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> | [NIX-Telefon](https://www.nixtelefon.org/) |

Each country page also covers calls to existing customers, callbacks, recording, calling hours, caller ID, sector rules, and fines.

## Common use cases

| Use case | What you need |
| - | - |
| Inbound service call | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed everywhere. Say that your AI agent is an AI and that you record the call. |
| Outbound service call | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed in most countries, for example appointment reminders or order updates. Don't add an offer to the call. |
| Marketing callback the person asked for | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed when the request covers a call by your AI agent about this topic. Keep a record of it. |
| Marketing call to existing customers | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> Consent required for AI calls in most EU countries. Existing-customer exceptions mostly cover email, not calls. |
| Cold marketing call | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> Consent required for AI calls to consumers in every EU country. A generic opt-in from a list vendor often doesn't name your company or cover AI calls. |

## Get consent for AI calls

Valid consent is specific and provable. It must cover calls by an AI agent, not only phone marketing in general. It must name your company and any partner you call for, and it must say what the calls are about. You carry the burden of proof, so keep a record for each contact: the exact consent text, the date and time, the phone number, and the version of the form. Some countries set retention periods, for example five years in Germany and three years in France.

The most reliable way is to collect consent yourself. Run ads to a landing page where people leave their number and agree to a callback from your AI agent, for example:

```text theme={null}
I agree that {company} may call me at this number with an AI agent about {topic}. I can withdraw my consent at any time.
```

If you buy leads, ask the vendor for the exact consent text, how they collected it, and proof per contact before you buy.

When someone asks you to stop calling, the objection applies right away and needs no reason. Tell your AI agent in your [guidance](/concepts/guidance) how to confirm the objection, and use a [Unitool](/concepts/unitools) to add the number to the suppression list in your CRM.

## Before you start outbound campaigns

botBrains AI agents run the whole conversation, so we ask for two things before we turn on automated marketing campaigns:

| What | Details |
| - | - |
| Company verification | Legal name, registered address, company registration number, and proof of registration, for example a recent excerpt from the business register. Phone carriers need the same details to provide local numbers. |
| Consent evidence | How you collect consent (checkbox, form, or contract), proof such as a link to the form or a screenshot, the exact consent text, and how you record consent per contact. You must show the consent for any contact on request. |

Send both to [support@botbrains.io](mailto:support@botbrains.io). Inbound calls, callbacks, and service calls don't need this review.

## Next steps

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Phone integration" icon="phone" href="/concepts/phone">
    Set up your phone line, introductions, and outbound calls.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Introductions" icon="message-circle" href="/concepts/phone#introductions">
    Tell callers they're talking to an AI and that you record the call.
  </Card>
</Columns>


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