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TECHNOLOGY

France orders cold-callers to use 09 prefix phone numbers

Calls from companies, including cold-calls, are to become instantly recognisable to customers in France under a new rule that requires them to use 09 prefix phone numbers.

Published: 6 September 2022 11:36 CEST

France’s telecom authority, Arcep, announced on Monday that it would begin requiring phone calls from ‘technical platforms’, such as call centres, to call from numbers starting with 09.

The prefix is intended to help consumers avoid “fraud and abuse” by allowing them to tell the difference between personal mobile numbers, typically those beginning with 06 and 07, from calls or messages coming from companies. 

This means that automated systems will no longer be able to use mobile numbers beginning with 06 or 07 for cold calling. 

Additionally, automated calling will no longer come from regional numbers – those that begin with 01, 02, 03, 04, and 05.

Another reason for the change is to create a specific, clear “09 category for e-commerce communications (such as deliveries or drop-offs) and SMS reminders and confirmations for events, like online medical consultations. 

Ultimately, the change will allow customers to recognise at first glance the origin of the call and, unless waiting for a delivery or confirmation message, choose not to answer.

The announcement comes as part of a larger modernisation campaign for national phone numbering, which began in 2018.

Member comments

  1. On face value, this seems like a good idea. However, our private house landline number issued by Bouygues Telecom 18 months ago, begins with an 09 prefix. Bouygues Telecom would not issue us with a Morbihan regional number beginning 0297. Does this now infer that when we call people, they will presume that we are a cold-caller?

  2. My house landline, with Orange/Sosh, also begins with an 09 prefix. I was given the option to change my regional number to, what I was told by Orange, was my Broadband number and I chose to do this because I thought it may reduce the number of cold calls I was receiving. It seemed to help for a short period but now the cold calls are as bad as ever. Now everyone will assume I’m a cold-caller.
    What are the Government playing at – surely they must know that 09 numbers can, and often are, used by private households. Also, what are they doing about the fact that registering with Bloctel seems to have no effect whatsoever. Somebody needs to put them straight.

  3. It seems like a good idea but we still won’t know, when a 09 call comes in, whether it is a cold call or something important.

  4. In this day and age, with advertising on or in just about every thing we see there is no need for ANY cold calling. It provides only a service to those trying to sell something – it doesn’t add anything to the individual enjoyment of peace, privacy and life of the subscriber, rather the opposite. It is an intrusion into the peace and security of our homes and to add insult to our cost time. It should be banned completely with severe penalties for those who ignore the ban. Further the companies who supply the telephone numbers should cancel the telephone number of any enterprise cold calling immediately and be heavily fined if they fail to do so.
    This proposal has all the marks of a French governmental fudge. It hasn’t been thought through, it is a light wallpapering over the crack of a growing anger amongst citizens. Frankly it’s a pathetic response to a growing irritation.
    Europe needs to take a lead in this even though there will still be business outside EU’s purview.
    Why is it allowed at all?

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TAXES

Tax benefits of having children in France

Parents in France benefit from a number of tax deductions, including for childcare or school costs, accommodation or even alimony payments, some of which can continue even when your kids are adults. Here's a look at some of the tax breaks that you may be entitled to.

Published: 24 April 2024 15:23 CEST
Tax benefits of having children in France

Having children in France is just as brilliantly difficult and gloriously maddening as it is anywhere in the world. But it can also be a major money-saver.

A not-uncommon topic of conversation is the generous support for parents. Three is the magic number of children for a family, for tax purposes – though that has to be offset against the realities of actually parenting three children.

READ ALSO Family-centred society: What it’s really like being a parent in France

We’ll leave that last calculation to you, and just deal with the French tax system, which is rather less complex.

So as tax declarations for 2024 are now open, here are the tax breaks you get for being a parent in France.

READ ALSO The 2024 French tax guide

Childcare

Let’s start with little kids, when you’re likely to be paying out for childcare.

Parents of children under the age of 6 on January 1st of any given tax year can obtain a tax credit towards the cost of childcare. This can either go towards crèche fees or the cost of an approved childminder or nanny.

The child concerned must be under 6 years of age on January 1st of the tax year. The credit is equal to 50 percent of the sums paid on childcare, up to a limit of €3,500 per child per year.

You must declare the net annual salary you pay any childminder/nanny, and any social security contributions.

School

A child in full-time education who does not have an employment contract entitles parents to a tax reduction of €61 if they’re in collège, €153 if they’re in lycée, and €183 if they’re in higher education, as long as they’re part of their parents’ tax household.

READ ALSO What you need to know if your child is starting school in France

In addition to the tax breaks, parents of school-age children are also entitled to various types of financial aid to help cover school costs including the ‘back to school’ bonus that is intended to cover those September costs for new uniform, stationery etc.

Divorce

If you’re divorced, then alimony payments may be tax deductible, depending on your childcare arrangements. The amount varies according to the financial situation of the parent paying the support. On the other hand, the cost of maintaining visitation rights, such as train tickets, are not tax-deductible. 

If parents have agreed shared custody of any children, any alimony payments are not deductible, because each parent is entitled to an increased tax share of their individual household.

Adult children

You might think that tax breaks are only available when your children are still young, but even when they reach the age of 18 there are still some tax benefits available.

Accommodation for adult children

If your adult child – that is a child over the age of 18 – lives with you and is attached to your tax household, you can deduct a lump sum of €3,968 from your income on your declaration for 2023 earnings, which is due now. According to the tax authorities, this amount corresponds to the cost of board and lodging.

“When the child’s accommodation covers only a fraction of the year, this sum must be reduced in proportion to the number of months concerned, with any month begun being deducted. Even if it is a lump sum, the amount deducted must be declared by the beneficiary”, the tax authorities’ website states.

Financial aid for children with no income

Parents who provide monthly financial assistance to adult children up to the age of 25 living on their own can declare the sums paid up to a limit of €6,368 per year. This aid is fully deductible. 

“You must keep all receipts for expenses, as they may be requested by the tax authorities. If the parents are taxed separately, each parent can deduct expenses up to this limit,” the tax office website says.

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