Can you record a phone call in Bulgaria?
Tell everyone on the call before you record it. Bulgaria's Constitution bans recording a person without their knowledge or against their express objection, unless a law allows it.
- Phone calls
- Article 32(2) of the Constitution says no one may be recorded without their knowledge or despite their express objection, except where a law allows it. The Criminal Code (Article 171(3)) punishes using special technical means to access or learn a message sent by phone or other telecoms that was not addressed to you, which targets outsiders rather than participants.
- Business calls
- GDPR applies. Tell callers at the start of the call that it is recorded and why, have a legal basis, and keep recordings only as long as that purpose needs. If a caller expressly objects, do not record, because the Constitution protects that objection.
- What counts as consent
- Make sure every participant knows before recording starts, for example with a spoken announcement at the start of the call. If anyone expressly objects, do not record. The constitutional test is knowledge and no express objection.
- Penalties
- Intercepting a phone message not addressed to you with special technical means: up to 2 years in prison, or up to 3 years plus a fine if done for gain or causing significant harm. GDPR fines apply to businesses.
Say this at the start
Telling everyone and asking is the safe habit everywhere.
- English
Before we start: I record my calls so I can keep accurate notes. Is that OK with you?
- Bulgarian
Преди да започнем: записвам разговорите си, за да имам точни бележки. Съгласни ли сте?
Worth knowing
- The criminal offence covers messages not addressed to you, so a participant who records is not committing it. The constitutional rule still requires the other person's knowledge.
- Article 32 of the Constitution has not changed since 1991. The 2023 constitutional amendments did not touch it.
- Courts apply Article 32(2) to participants. In 2023 a district court made someone pay damages for secretly recording two of their own calls with the claimant. The Supreme Court of Cassation excludes such recordings from criminal cases.
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026. A plain summary of the law, not legal advice.
- Constitution of the Republic of Bulgaria (Presidency of Bulgaria)statute
- Nakazatelen kodeks (Criminal Code), consolidated text, Article 171 (Lex.bg)statute
- Ihtiman District Court, decision No. 5 of 9 January 2023, civil case 286/2022 (damages for secretly recorded phone calls)court
- Lex.bg News: recordings as evidence in criminal proceedings, on Supreme Court of Cassation decision No. 456/2012guide
Other countries
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Questions
Is Bulgaria a one-party consent country?
No. Tell everyone on the call before you record it. Bulgaria's Constitution bans recording a person without their knowledge or against their express objection, unless a law allows it.
Can a business record calls in Bulgaria?
GDPR applies. Tell callers at the start of the call that it is recorded and why, have a legal basis, and keep recordings only as long as that purpose needs. If a caller expressly objects, do not record, because the Constitution protects that objection.
What counts as consent in Bulgaria?
Make sure every participant knows before recording starts, for example with a spoken announcement at the start of the call. If anyone expressly objects, do not record. The constitutional test is knowledge and no express objection.
What happens if you record a call illegally in Bulgaria?
Intercepting a phone message not addressed to you with special technical means: up to 2 years in prison, or up to 3 years plus a fine if done for gain or causing significant harm. GDPR fines apply to businesses.
Hang up. The notes are done.
Superscribe records your business calls on the number you already have and writes the note when you hang up. You say one line at the start, and it does the rest.
