> ## 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 Cold Calling Laws in France

> Is AI cold calling legal in France? Opt-in rules for automated calls under L.34-5 CPCE and L.223-1, the end of Bloctel, call recording, and AI disclosure.

export const reviewed_0 = "October 2026"

In France, an AI agent may only make marketing calls to people who agreed to automated calls beforehand. [Article L.34-5 of the Postal and Electronic Communications Code](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000042155961) (CPCE) requires prior consent for marketing by automated systems to any natural person, at home or at work. Since August 11, 2026, [Article L.223-1 of the Consumer Code](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051830285) (Code de la consommation) also requires prior consent for every sales call to a consumer, and the Bloctel do-not-call list no longer exists.

<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>

## At a glance

| Call | To consumers (B2C) | To businesses (B2B) |
| - | - | - |
| Inbound service call | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed. Disclose the AI and the recording. | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed. Disclose the AI and the recording. |
| Outbound service call | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed. No offers. | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed. No offers. |
| Marketing callback the person asked for | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> Consent required. The request counts if it names your company, the products, and an AI call. | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed, within the scope of the request. |
| Marketing call by an AI agent | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> Consent required. The customer exception covers email only. | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> Named employees and sole traders: consent required.<br /><Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Company switchboard: allowed. Name who you call for and offer a way to stop the calls. |
| Marketing call by a human to existing customers | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed if the call relates to a running contract, including complementary products or upgrades. | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed. Tell the person and respect objections. |
| Cold marketing call by a human | <Icon icon="signature" color="#d97706" /> Consent required since August 11, 2026. | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> Allowed. Tell the person and respect objections. |

## Is AI cold calling legal in France?

Only with prior consent. Article L.34-5 CPCE bans marketing through an automated system, fax, or email that uses the contact details of a natural person:

> "qui n'a pas exprimé préalablement son consentement à recevoir des prospections directes par ce moyen"

In English: "who hasn't agreed beforehand to receive direct marketing through this channel."

**It protects people, not companies.** The rule covers the contact details of a natural person, whether they hold the line or only use it. Consumers, sole traders, and employees on their own line, such as a direct line or a work mobile, count. A company's general number belongs to the company, so it falls outside. [Gouache Avocats](https://www.gouache.fr/ressources/articles-avocats-demarchage-par-courrier-electronique-automate-d-appel-et-telecopieur/) reads L.34-5 as excluding legal entities, and the [Paris chamber of commerce](https://www.entreprises.cci-paris-idf.fr/fiches-pratiques/prospection-commerciale-par-voie-electronique) says the same of generic addresses such as contact\@. Your AI agent may call a company switchboard without consent. L.34-5 still requires you to name who you call for and offer a way to stop the calls. No court or regulator has ruled on automated calls to a switchboard yet.

**Named employees need consent.** The CNIL, the data protection authority, lets you send B2B email without consent when it fits the recipient's job ([Leto](https://www.leto.legal/news/cnil-communications-electroniques-prospection-regles-2026)). An Alliance Digitale infographic on [France Num](https://www.francenum.gouv.fr/guides-et-conseils/developpement-commercial/gestion-des-donnees-clients/prospection-commerciale-et), the government's portal for small businesses, applies the same opt-out to B2B callbots. No court or CNIL decision backs this for calls, and the text of L.34-5 covers employees. Get consent before your AI agent calls a named person or a sole trader. Whoever answers the switchboard keeps their GDPR rights, so stop when they object ([GDPR Art. 21](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-21-gdpr/)).

**AI agents most likely count.** The law doesn't mention AI. [Article L.32, 32° CPCE](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000049571421) defines an automated calling system as one that calls several end users automatically, following instructions set for it. ARCEP, the telecom regulator, applies that definition and wrote exceptions for AI that mainly answers incoming calls ([Decision 2022-1583](https://www.arcep.fr/uploads/tx_gsavis/22-1583.pdf), section 7.1.3), which only makes sense if AI calling counts as automated. No CNIL guidance or court decision addresses AI voice agents. Treat AI calls as automated calls.

**A human in the loop doesn't settle it.** ARCEP says a dialer may fall outside its definition when a human orders each call individually, with no parallel calls. That describes tools for human callers. When your AI agent runs the conversation, a human pressing **Dial** doesn't make it a human call.

## Cold calls by a human

**Consumers.** Since August 11, 2026, you may not call a consumer for sales, yourself or through a third party, without prior consent (L.223-1, rewritten by [Loi n° 2025-594](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000051824277), Article 13). Calls about a running contract and sales of newspapers and magazines ([L.223-5](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051830279)) are the exceptions. A consumer is a natural person acting outside their trade ([Article liminaire](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000049464063)), so a sole trader you call about their business isn't one.

Say who you are, who you call for, and that the call is commercial at the start. If the consumer objects, end the call right away and never call them again ([L.221-16](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051830288)).

**Businesses.** L.223-1 doesn't apply, but the GDPR protects the contact person. Rely on legitimate interest, tell people that you may use their number for sales calls, and let them object simply and for free ([CNIL](https://www.cnil.fr/fr/prospection-commerciale-par-telephone-hors-automate-dappel-quelles-sont-les-regles), [GDPR Art. 21](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-21-gdpr/)).

## Existing customers and callback requests

**Existing customers.** A human may call a consumer about a running contract without consent, including complementary products or upgrades (L.223-1). L.34-5 has a customer exception for email only, so your AI agent needs consent for marketing calls to customers.

**Service calls.** Appointment reminders, delivery updates, and support follow-ups aren't marketing. Keep them free of offers.

**Callbacks.** A callback request serves as consent if it meets every point under [consent for AI calls](#consent-for-ai-calls). Ads that lead to a landing page with a consent checkbox work well. In energy renovation, you may only answer a consumer's information request, within five working days and about the requested products ([R.223-4](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000054491448)).

## Do-not-call register: Bloctel (closed)

France has no do-not-call register anymore. Bloctel, the opt-out list for consumers, ended on August 11, 2026 when opt-in replaced it ([DGCCRF](https://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf/les-fiches-pratiques/les-regles-du-demarchage-telephonique-simposant-aux-entreprises)). It was open to consumers only.

Keep your own suppression list instead. Consumers may withdraw consent at any time, also orally during a call ([R.223-3](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000054491452)). They report unwanted calls to the 33700 platform and to SignalConso ([Service-Public](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F33267)). botBrains doesn't screen numbers. Use [guidance](/concepts/guidance) to tell the agent how to handle a request to stop calling, and a [Unitool](/concepts/unitools) to write the objection to your CRM.

## Consent for AI calls

You carry the burden of proof (L.223-1). The consent request must meet these points ([R.223-1](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000054491464)):

| Requirement | Source |
| - | - |
| Free, specific, informed, unambiguous, revocable, and given by a clear positive act | L.223-1 |
| Names your company, any third party calling for you, and the products or services | R.223-1 I 1° |
| Lasts at most one year, with no tacit renewal | R.223-1 I 3° |
| Explains how to withdraw and that the person can get a copy of the proof | R.223-1 I 4° and 5° |
| A pre-written clause or continued browsing doesn't count | R.223-1 II 3° |
| Covers automated or AI calls | L.34-5 ("par ce moyen") |

Archive each consent digitally with its text, date, and time for three years, and give the consumer a free copy on request ([R.223-2](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000054491459)).

**Purchased leads and partners.** Consent that doesn't name your company fails R.223-1. The law presumes that any company profiting from unlawful calls is responsible, so outsourcing doesn't shield you (L.223-1). In 2024, the CNIL fined FORIOU EUR 310,000 and HUBSIDE.STORE EUR 525,000 for prospecting with data from forms that hid the option to refuse ([avocat.fr](https://consultation.avocat.fr/blog/lucie-contassot-vivier/article-2969031-demarchage-telephonique-et-donnees-personnelles-la-cnil-sanctionne-retour-sur-les-regles-applicables.html)). Ask vendors for the exact consent text, the collection method, and proof per contact.

botBrains asks for consent evidence before outbound campaigns, see [before you start outbound campaigns](/concepts/phone/countries#before-you-start-outbound-campaigns).

## Tell callers they're talking to an AI

Since August 2, 2026, [Article 50 of the EU AI Act](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=OJ:L_202401689#art_50) requires that people know they're talking to an AI system, at the latest when the conversation starts. This applies to inbound and outbound calls, to consumers and to business contacts, and you can't count on the exception for obvious cases when your AI agent sounds human. The [default introduction](/concepts/phone#introductions) already says that your AI agent is an AI, so keep that statement first when you edit it. When you call a consumer to sell something, the [Consumer Rights Directive](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2011/83/oj/eng) also requires you to name your company, anyone you call for, and the commercial purpose at the start.

French law adds no AI-specific rule. In sales calls to consumers, state your identity, the company you call for, and the commercial nature at the start (L.221-16). For automated calls, L.34-5 forbids hiding who you call for and requires a way to stop the calls.

For outbound marketing calls:

```text theme={null}
Bonjour, je suis {agent_name}, un agent d'intelligence artificielle, et j'appelle pour le compte de {project_name}. Il s'agit d'un appel commercial pour vous présenter une offre, auquel vous avez consenti. Cet appel est enregistré. Appuyez à tout moment sur la touche étoile pour vous y opposer. Si vous ne souhaitez plus être appelé, dites-le simplement et nous ne vous rappellerons plus.
```

For inbound and service calls:

```text theme={null}
Bonjour, je suis {agent_name} de {project_name}. Je suis un agent d'intelligence artificielle. Cet appel est enregistré. Appuyez à tout moment sur la touche étoile pour vous y opposer. Comment puis-je vous aider ?
```

You can edit the introduction per project, see [introductions](/concepts/phone#introductions).

## Call recording

**Criminal law.** [Article 226-1 of the Criminal Code](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000049312755) (Code pénal) punishes recording words spoken in private or in confidence without consent. The law presumes consent when you record openly and the person doesn't object although they could. Announce the recording and offer the star key.

**Data protection.** You need a lawful basis under [GDPR Art. 6](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-6-gdpr/), such as legitimate interest, and you must tell the caller ([GDPR Art. 13](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-13-gdpr/)). Consent isn't the only basis. When the caller presses the star key, botBrains stops the recording and discards it. The transcript stays. botBrains stores recordings, transcripts, and call data in the EU.

**Voice as biometric data.** A recording only becomes biometric data when you process it to identify someone ([GDPR Art. 4(14)](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-4-gdpr/) and [Art. 9](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-9-gdpr/)). Recording for quality or training doesn't do that.

## Caller ID and calling hours

**Show your number.** You may not hide your number on sales calls to consumers, and the number must belong to the company you call for ([L.221-17](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000039248229)). Callers see your botBrains number, and botBrains provisions French numbers on request.

**Use a number allowed for automated calls.** Since January 1, 2023, automated calling systems may not show mobile (06, 07), geographic (01 to 05), or regular 09 numbers. In mainland France, they may use verified numbers starting with 0162, 0163, 0270, 0271, 0377, 0378, 0424, 0425, 0568, 0569, 0948, or 0949. Lines that call five or fewer numbers in 30 days, or make no more than 20% as many calls as they receive, are exempt, except on mobile numbers. Operators may block other calls ([ARCEP Decision 2022-1583](https://www.arcep.fr/uploads/tx_gsavis/22-1583.pdf), [L.44 CPCE](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051830329)). Ask for a verified number for outbound AI calls.

**Calling hours.** These apply to sales calls to consumers ([D.223-9](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000054491498)):

| Day | Calls allowed |
| - | - |
| Monday to Friday | <Icon icon="circle-check" color="#16a34a" /> 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 20:00, in the consumer's time zone |
| Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays | <Icon icon="circle-x" color="#dc2626" /> Not allowed |
| Frequency | At most four calls or attempts per consumer within 30 days |

Calling outside these hours needs the consumer's explicit agreement to a precise date and time (L.223-1). Otherwise the call counts as made without consent (R.223-1 II 2°). No hours apply to B2B calls. botBrains doesn't enforce calling hours or count attempts. On voicemail, the agent hangs up without leaving a message, but that still counts as an attempt.

## Sector rules

| Sector | Rule |
| - | - |
| Energy renovation, renewable energy, home adaptation for old age or disability | <Icon icon="circle-x" color="#dc2626" /> No phone marketing to consumers, even with consent, except within a running contract (L.223-1). No messaging, email, or social media marketing either ([L.223-8](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051828335)). |
| Personal training account (CPF) | <Icon icon="circle-x" color="#dc2626" /> No phone, messaging, email, or social media marketing to collect CPF data or sell CPF training ([Labor Code L.6323-8-1](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000047666673)). |
| Insurance | State the purpose, the insurer, and your link to it at the start. Record sales calls and keep them for two years. If the person refuses the recording, end the call, so replace the star-key objection ([Insurance Code L.112-2-2](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000053310590) and [R.112-7](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000053303422)). |
| Banking and investment | Only licensed and registered financial firms may canvass ([Monetary and Financial Code L.341-1](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000050372371) and L.341-3). |
| Any sales contract with a consumer | Send the offer on paper or another durable medium after the call. The consumer is only bound once they sign it (L.221-16). |

## Fines and enforcement

| Regulator | Covers | Maximum fine |
| - | - | - |
| DGCCRF | Consumer calls, caller ID, automated calls | EUR 75,000 for a natural person, EUR 375,000 for a company ([L.242-16](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000042155954), [L.242-12](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000042155944), [L.242-14](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000042155949), L.34-5). The DGCCRF applies the cap per call |
| CNIL | Personal data, L.34-5 for natural persons | EUR 20 million or 4% of worldwide turnover ([GDPR Art. 83](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-83-gdpr/)) |
| AI Act authorities | AI disclosure | EUR 15 million or 3% of worldwide turnover ([AI Act Art. 99](https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/article/99/)) |
| Criminal courts | Abuse of weakness through phone sales | Five years in prison and EUR 500,000, or 10% of turnover ([L.132-14-1](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051828125)) |

The DGCCRF, the consumer protection authority, publishes its fines at the offender's expense (L.242-16). Contracts from unlawful calls are void (L.223-1). We found no published decision on AI voice agents or robocalls. In June 2026, the Constitutional Council ruled that the CNIL, ARCEP, and the DGCCRF may not each sanction the same breach of L.34-5 ([Decision 2026-1210 QPC](https://www.conseil-constitutionnel.fr/decision/2026/20261210QPC.htm)). Until a new law passes, or October 31, 2027 at the latest, only one authority may pursue the same facts against the same company.

## Sources

* Consumer Code (Code de la consommation), [Article liminaire](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000049464063), [L.132-14-1](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051828125), [L.221-16](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051830288), [L.221-17](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000039248229), [L.223-1](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051830285), [L.223-5](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051830279), [L.223-7](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000032226749), [L.223-8](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051828335), [L.242-12](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000042155944), [L.242-14](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000042155949), and [L.242-16](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000042155954)
* Consumer Code, [R.223-1](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000054491464), [R.223-2](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000054491459), [R.223-3](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000054491452), [R.223-4](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000054491448), and [D.223-9](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000054491498)
* [Loi n° 2025-594 du 30 juin 2025](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000051824277), Article 13, and [Décret n° 2026-662 du 23 juillet 2026](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT000054483939)
* Postal and Electronic Communications Code (CPCE), [L.32](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000049571421), [L.34-5](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000042155961), and [L.44](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000051830329)
* Criminal Code (Code pénal), [Article 226-1](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000049312755)
* Labor Code (Code du travail), [L.6323-8-1](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000047666673)
* Insurance Code (Code des assurances), [L.112-2-2](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000053310590) and [R.112-7](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000053303422)
* Monetary and Financial Code (Code monétaire et financier), [L.341-1](https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000050372371)
* GDPR, [Art. 4](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-4-gdpr/), [Art. 6](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-6-gdpr/), [Art. 9](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-9-gdpr/), [Art. 13](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-13-gdpr/), [Art. 21](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-21-gdpr/), and [Art. 83](https://gdpr-info.eu/art-83-gdpr/)
* EU AI Act, [Art. 50](https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/article/50/) and [Art. 99](https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/article/99/)
* ARCEP, [Decision 2022-1583](https://www.arcep.fr/uploads/tx_gsavis/22-1583.pdf) on the national numbering plan, September 1, 2022
* DGCCRF, [Les règles du démarchage téléphonique s'imposant aux entreprises](https://www.economie.gouv.fr/dgccrf/les-fiches-pratiques/les-regles-du-demarchage-telephonique-simposant-aux-entreprises), July 27, 2026
* Service-Public, [Démarchage téléphonique abusif, spam vocal ou par SMS](https://www.service-public.gouv.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F33267), checked August 12, 2026
* CNIL, [Prospection commerciale par téléphone](https://www.cnil.fr/fr/prospection-commerciale-par-telephone-hors-automate-dappel-quelles-sont-les-regles), June 10, 2026
* Leto, [CNIL rules on electronic prospecting](https://www.leto.legal/news/cnil-communications-electroniques-prospection-regles-2026), June 14, 2026
* Gouache Avocats, [Démarchage par courrier électronique, automate d'appel et télécopieur](https://www.gouache.fr/ressources/articles-avocats-demarchage-par-courrier-electronique-automate-d-appel-et-telecopieur/), March 30, 2023
* CCI Paris Île-de-France, [Prospection commerciale par voie électronique](https://www.entreprises.cci-paris-idf.fr/fiches-pratiques/prospection-commerciale-par-voie-electronique), June 25, 2026
* France Num, [Prospection commerciale et RGPD : les règles à respecter pour chaque canal](https://www.francenum.gouv.fr/guides-et-conseils/developpement-commercial/gestion-des-donnees-clients/prospection-commerciale-et), March 12, 2026
* CMS, [the end of telephone canvassing without consent](https://cms.law/en/fra/news-information/interdiction-prochaine-du-demarchage-telephonique-sans-consentement-prealable-du-consommateur), July 8, 2025
* avocat.fr, [CNIL sanctions on telephone prospecting](https://consultation.avocat.fr/blog/lucie-contassot-vivier/article-2969031-demarchage-telephonique-et-donnees-personnelles-la-cnil-sanctionne-retour-sur-les-regles-applicables.html), October 24, 2024

## 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="Calling laws by country" icon="globe" href="/concepts/phone/countries">
    Compare consent rules for AI calls across the EU, the UK, and the US.
  </Card>
</Columns>


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