Ordinance of January 5, 2026 on the Distance Marketing of Financial Services to Consumers

This ordinance transposes into French law the European Directive of November 22, 2023 on distance contracts for financial services concluded with consumers. It modernizes the existing regulatory framework established by the 2002 directive on the same subject, updating rules to reflect the significant digitalization of financial services distribution over the past two decades. The ordinance establishes new obligations for financial service providers who market products remotely — including via websites, apps, phone, or email — ensuring consumers receive clear, standardized pre-contractual information before committing to any agreement. It strengthens transparency requirements and harmonizes consumer protection standards across EU member states. Key provisions include reinforced withdrawal rights for consumers, updated information disclosure obligations tailored to digital channels, and clearer rules around unsolicited communications and bundled services. Financial institutions must now ensure their digital sales processes fully comply with these updated requirements. As a transposition ordinance, it carries direct legal force in France and applies to all providers of financial services — including banking, insurance, investment, and payment services — that enter into contracts remotely with French consumers.

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