In the B2C sector (i.e., with consumers), cold calls are generally prohibited in Germany without prior explicit consent. This means: Explicit consent required: Consumers must actively and in advance agree before they can be contacted by phone for advertising purposes. Legal basis: This is based primarily on § 7 UWG (Act Against Unfair Competition). It establishes that unsolicited advertising calls are considered an unreasonable nuisance if the consumer has not expressly consented. Judicial rulings: Court decisions also confirm that telephone cold calling without this consent is impermissible. In summary: Without prior, active consent from the consumer, no telephone cold calling may take place in the B2C sector.
