Can you record a phone call in Romania?
You may record a call you take part in without the others' consent, but only if you can show a legitimate interest. Romania's Criminal Code punishes recording a private conversation without right, and sharing such a recording.
- Phone calls
- The electronic communications privacy law (Law 506/2004, Article 4) bans listening to or recording calls, except by users who take part in the call, with all users' prior written consent, or by authorities. The Criminal Code (Article 226) punishes audio recording of a private conversation without right, but exempts a person who took part in the conversation if they justify a legitimate interest.
- Business calls
- GDPR and Law 190/2018 apply, supervised by the data protection authority ANSPDCP. Law 506/2004 allows recording calls in lawful professional practice as proof of a commercial transaction or a commercial communication. Under GDPR, tell callers at the start of the call that it is recorded and why, and keep recordings only as long as that purpose needs.
- What counts as consent
- For a business, a clear announcement at the start of the call, saying that the call is recorded and why. Law 506/2004 also names prior written consent from all participants as a route. A participant's secret recording relies on the Criminal Code's legitimate interest exemption.
- Penalties
- Recording a private conversation without right: 1-6 months in prison or a fine. Sharing it: 3 months to 2 years or a fine. Prosecuted only on the victim's complaint. Breaching Law 506/2004 brings fines of 5,000 to 100,000 lei.
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?
- Romanian
Înainte să începem: îmi înregistrez apelurile ca să am notițe exacte. Sunteți de acord?
Worth knowing
- Taking part in the call is not enough on its own. The Criminal Code exemption needs a legitimate interest, which the code does not define, so a recording made without one can be a crime.
- Planting a hidden audio or video recording device to capture private conversations is punished more harshly, with 1-5 years in prison.
- Large companies (turnover above 5 million lei) that breach Law 506/2004 face fines of up to 2% of turnover instead of the fixed range.
Sources
Checked on 14 October 2026. A plain summary of the law, not legal advice.
- Legea nr. 506/2004 on privacy in electronic communications (text published by ANSPDCP)statute
- ANSPDCP: national data protection legislation, including Law 190/2018regulator
- Codul penal (Legea 286/2009), consolidated text (Portal Legislativ, Ministry of Justice)statute
- Codul penal, Article 226, consolidated text (LegeAZ)guide
Other countries
More free tools
Questions
Is Romania a one-party consent country?
Yes. You may record a call you take part in without the others' consent, but only if you can show a legitimate interest. Romania's Criminal Code punishes recording a private conversation without right, and sharing such a recording.
Can a business record calls in Romania?
GDPR and Law 190/2018 apply, supervised by the data protection authority ANSPDCP. Law 506/2004 allows recording calls in lawful professional practice as proof of a commercial transaction or a commercial communication. Under GDPR, tell callers at the start of the call that it is recorded and why, and keep recordings only as long as that purpose needs.
What counts as consent in Romania?
For a business, a clear announcement at the start of the call, saying that the call is recorded and why. Law 506/2004 also names prior written consent from all participants as a route. A participant's secret recording relies on the Criminal Code's legitimate interest exemption.
What happens if you record a call illegally in Romania?
Recording a private conversation without right: 1-6 months in prison or a fine. Sharing it: 3 months to 2 years or a fine. Prosecuted only on the victim's complaint. Breaching Law 506/2004 brings fines of 5,000 to 100,000 lei.
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.
