Compliance · Uruguay

Voice Call Compliance in Uruguay

A practical overview of the rules that affect voice call messaging and marketing in Uruguay, with a checklist before you launch.

Key Rules for Voice Calls in Uruguay

Telemarketing must respect objections and opt-outs under Law 18.331 and the Consumer Relations Law 17.250.

Automated and prerecorded calls are tightly regulated in the US (TCPA and the National Do Not Call Registry) and Canada (CRTC Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules), and other countries in the region have their own registers and rules.

Data Protection

The Regulatory and Control Unit for Personal Data (URCDP) supervises Law 18.331, and databases must be registered.

Keep a record of how each contact was collected, what they agreed to and when, and make it easy for them to withdraw consent.

Practical Checklist

Check whether the call is promotional or a service call, as the rules differ.
Use permitted calling numbers and caller ID, and never hide or spoof the calling number.
Screen numbers against any national do-not-call register before promotional campaigns.
Call only within permitted hours in the recipient's time zone and keep recorded messages short.
Offer an easy way to stop further calls and record call consent where required.

Contact data

Format numbers in international E.164 format with the +598 country code, remove duplicates and invalid numbers, and keep consent records linked to each number.

Timing and Language

Uruguay follows the America/Montevideo time zone (UTC-03:00 in October 2026). The usual working week is Monday to Friday. Schedule voice call campaigns for the recipient's local daytime hours, avoid public holidays and religious observances that matter to your audience, and convert send times from IST before scheduling.

In Montevideo, customers commonly use Spanish. Messages in the customer's preferred language usually perform better, but check how local-language text affects character counts (for SMS) and template approval (for WhatsApp).

Digital Habits and Channels in Uruguay

Uruguay has some of Latin America's highest internet penetration, and WhatsApp is the main messaging app. Law 18.331 on personal data protection, overseen by the URCDP, requires consent for marketing.

Cards and debit payments are widespread, and many people pay through local networks such as Abitab and RedPagos. Carnival, the summer beach season in Punta del Este and Christmas are key periods.

Uruguay is known for political stability and strong digital infrastructure: the state-owned operator Antel has brought fibre to most homes, and the Plan Ceibal programme gave every school pupil a laptop. Software and IT services exports, beef, soybeans, pulp mills and tourism are key sectors. The EU recognises Uruguay's data protection law (Law 18.331) as adequate, which eases data transfers. The basic VAT rate is 22%, and prices are in Uruguayan pesos, though property and cars are often quoted in US dollars.

Regulators, Registers and Practical Rules in Uruguay

Uruguay's personal data law, Law 18.331, is supervised by the URCDP (Unidad Reguladora y de Control de Datos Personales), and the EU recognises Uruguay as providing adequate protection. Databases must be registered with the URCDP, and marketing requires consent or another legal basis, with the right to opt out. Telecoms are regulated by URSEC. Antel, the state operator, leads the mobile market, alongside Movistar and Claro.

Uruguayans are wary of exaggerated claims, so clear and sober messages work best. WhatsApp is used for almost all communication, and fibre broadband reaches most homes. Tourism Week, in the week before Easter, and the long summer holidays in January change response patterns, with many people on the coast. Prices in pesos should state whether VAT (22 per cent standard rate) is included.

General guidance, not legal advice. Check current rules with the regulator or a local adviser before launch.

Advertising Alongside Messaging

Advertising must follow the Consumer Relations Law 17.250, with clear and truthful offers.

This guide is general information, not legal advice, and reflects our understanding as of October 2026. Rules change, so we check current requirements for Uruguay before every launch.

Planning voice call campaigns for Uruguay?

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Voice Call in Uruguay: FAQs

Do I need consent to send marketing voice call messages in Uruguay?

In most cases, yes, or at least an existing customer relationship and a clear opt-out. Telemarketing must respect objections and opt-outs under Law 18.331 and the Consumer Relations Law 17.250.

Are automated voice calls allowed in Uruguay?

Automated and prerecorded calls are usually more tightly regulated than live calls. Check consent, calling hours and any national do-not-call register before a campaign.

Can DND Teams run voice call campaigns to Uruguay?

Yes. We are based in Bhopal, India, and run campaigns for international markets remotely, after checking the current rules, sender requirements and coverage for Uruguay.

Is this legal advice?

No. This guide is general information to help you plan. Regulations change and their application depends on your business, so take local legal advice for significant campaigns.