As of June 7, 2025, a crucial regulation comes into effect that could mark the end of unwanted telemarketing calls in Spain. The Spanish government is intensifying its efforts to curb rampant phone spam and significantly improve the lives of its citizens. The goal is to protect the public from fraudulent calls and intrusive commercial communication.
The End of Mobile Marketing Calls: New Prefixes for Commercial Communication
One of the most significant changes, effective Saturday, June 7, 2025, is the prohibition for companies to use mobile phone numbers for commercial calls. In the future, such calls can only be made using geographical numbering, numbering specifically assigned for commercial communication, or via the well-known 800 and 900 numbers. This regulatory adjustment, impacting the Customer Service Services Act (SAC), allows for the introduction of exclusive prefixes for telemarketing companies.
Should companies violate this regulation, mobile operators can automatically block such calls before they even ring on the user’s phone. This means a significant relief for consumers who have previously been bothered by unwanted calls. Furthermore, phones can even warn the user that it is a commercial call, increasing transparency and making it easier to decide whether to answer the call.
Why Do They Still Call? Closing the Loopholes
Although a general ban on commercial calls without prior consent came into effect in June 2023 with the reform of the General Telecommunications Law, loopholes persisted. Some companies argued that users were either customers, had given their consent, or had “forgotten” to remove themselves from registrations. By introducing mandatory prefixes for commercial calls, operators will now be able to adapt their network and call management systems to automatically identify and appropriately handle commercial numbers. This closes the remaining gray areas that have previously been exploited by spammers.
Anti-Scam Plan: Fighting International and Mobile Phone Fraud
The Ministry of Digital Transformation and Public Function announced two further important measures of the Anti-Scam Plan, which come into effect this Saturday:
- No more fake international calls and SMS: Citizens will no longer be able to receive spam calls and SMS that are of international origin but pretend to be from a Spanish number to deceive the user – one of the most common practices in telephone scam attempts.
- No commercial calls from mobile numbers: Since a significant portion of scams occur through calls from national mobile phones not stored in the recipient’s address book, this will be prevented. The user cannot identify the caller, which opens the door for fraudulent intentions.
In summary, as of June 7, 2025, commercial calls in Spain can only be made using geographical numbering, specifically assigned commercial numbering, or via 800 and 900 numbers. This allows the user to more clearly identify commercial calls. In addition, the 800 and 900 prefixes can now be used not only for receiving but also for making calls.
Successes in the Fight Against Phone Spam: Over 14 Million Fraudulent Calls Blocked
The Ministry of Digital Transformation and Public Service reports impressive figures: On average, 235,000 calls and 10,000 SMS are blocked daily in Spain. Óscar López, Minister of Digital Transformation and Public Administration, emphasizes the success of the Anti-Scam Plan: “In the first two months since this plan came into force, operators have already blocked 14 million calls with fraudulent intentions. From the government, we have tackled an exponential problem. These data show that the measures are working, we are improving the protection of citizens and providing them with tools to improve their security.” These figures underscore the necessity and effectiveness of the measures implemented in the fight against phone spam in Spain.
Outlook: Official Database for Alphanumeric Codes in SMS
Another important measure will be implemented in the coming months: the establishment of an official database for alphanumeric codes. These codes are used by companies and public administrations as identifiers in SMS. Due to its technical complexity, this measure is expected to be implemented 15 months after the publication of the ministerial order. The database, managed by the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC), will allow for the registration and verification of these identifiers. This is intended to guarantee the authenticity of SMS communication, protect the identity of legitimate companies, and facilitate the detection and blocking of identity fraud.
