The Spanish government is set to intensify its crackdown on unsolicited commercial calls and phone scams with a new ministerial order prohibiting the use of mobile numbers for such communications.
This regulation, part of a broader strategy to strengthen digital rights, will come into effect before the end of February, as announced by Óscar López, Minister for Digital Transformation and Public Administration.
While Spain had already taken steps against spam calls with the General Telecommunications Law, which came into force in mid-2023, that legislation only banned unsolicited calls without prior consent. Companies could still contact users if they had previously granted permission, for example, via an email tick box or third parties.
However, the new regulation introduces a total ban on commercial calls made from mobile numbers. From February onwards, businesses will only be allowed to contact consumers via landline numbers with provincial prefixes or toll-free numbers starting with 800 or 900.
The measure aims to prevent citizens from unknowingly answering sales calls, mistaking them for personal contacts. "We often receive calls from a mobile number, thinking it’s a friend or family member, only to discover it’s a commercial call. This will now be prohibited," López said.
Reporting Violations and Penalties
The government will also introduce a complaint system, allowing consumers to report violations to the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Office. Companies that fail to comply with the new rules may face penalties, though the specific fines have yet to be disclosed.
Beyond reducing phone spam, the initiative is also designed to combat phone scams, a growing issue in Spain. According to cybersecurity reports, phone fraud is one of the most common methods used by scammers, leading to billions in financial losses globally.
Spain’s new measures align with broader efforts at both European and global levels to enhance consumer protection in the digital age. The government insists that further action is needed to regulate telemarketing practices and prevent fraudulent schemes.
