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An insult can be a crime when someone says or does something demeaning to another person\u2019s honour or dignity in that person\u2019s presence. Not every unpleasant remark, criticism or rude comment meets the requirements of Article 146 of the Criminal Code. The court considers the precise words or actions, their context, how they were perceived and whether they were objectively capable of humiliating the person concerned.<\/p>\n
Important:<\/strong> insult is generally prosecuted on a complaint by the injured person. The complaint must be filed within six months of learning that the offence was committed. Missing the deadline may mean losing the opportunity to bring a prosecution by this route.<\/p>\n Under Article 146(1), a person commits an insult by saying or doing something demeaning to another\u2019s honour or dignity in their presence. Since 29 July 2025 the basic offence has carried a fine of BGN 500 to 3,000, and the court may also impose public censure.<\/p>\n It is not enough for the injured person simply to have felt offended. The words or actions must be objectively humiliating by contemporary social standards. The relationship between the parties, the cause of the conflict, the tone, the place and the audience all matter.<\/p>\n Freedom of expression protects opinions, assessments and criticism, including harsh or unwelcome views. It does not give an unrestricted right to direct vulgar, cynical or demeaning descriptions at another person.<\/p>\n The court considers the expression in its full context. The same word can mean different things in different situations. It is necessary to establish whom it targeted, who perceived it and whether it expressed a view on a matter of public concern or was a personal attack that contributed nothing to public debate.<\/p>\n A defamatory assertion contains a statement of fact that can be tested for truth or falsity. An insult generally expresses a negative judgment, so proving the \u201ctruth\u201d of the description does not resolve the dispute. The legal classification depends on the exact words and context, not on the label the injured person gives them.<\/p>\n Article 146 requires that the insult take place \u201cin the presence\u201d of the injured person. This is clear when the words are spoken face to face. The courts take a broader view where a communication is addressed directly to and perceived by the injured person, for example by telephone, letter, electronic message or through an intermediary acting on the offender\u2019s instructions.<\/p>\n If demeaning words are spoken in front of others but do not reach the injured person in a manner covered by the law, an element of the offence may be missing. The conduct may nevertheless fall under a different legal classification.<\/p>\n An insult can also take the form of a post, comment, chat, email, video or private message. For online communications it is necessary to establish the author, the exact wording, the addressee, the time of publication and how the injured person perceived the content.<\/p>\n If the insult was disseminated publicly or through mass media, the aggravated offence under Article 148 may apply. It carries a fine of BGN 500 to 10,000<\/strong> and public censure. This range has applied since 29 July 2025<\/strong>. Not all internet posts automatically fall into the same category: the court assesses accessibility, audience and method of dissemination in each case.<\/p>\n For further analysis, see \u201cInsult: elements of the offence, distinctive features and problems in practice\u201d<\/a>. The distinction from disseminating false statements of fact is discussed in the article on defamation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Proceedings normally begin with a written private criminal complaint filed with the competent district court. The injured person acts as private complainant and brings and pursues the charge personally.<\/p>\n Under Article 81 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the complaint must contain:<\/p>\n A complaint is more than an ordinary report or an informal account. It defines the factual scope of the charge, so an incomplete or unclear description can make the case substantially more difficult.<\/p>\n The private complaint must be filed within six months<\/strong> of the day the injured person learned that the offence had been committed. In the circumstances provided for by law, the period may begin on receipt of notice that criminal proceedings have been stayed.<\/p>\n It is unwise to leave preparation until the end of the period. Identifying the author, preserving electronic evidence, locating witnesses and formulating a specific charge often take time.<\/p>\n A cropped screenshot without a URL, date or context may prove insufficient. Preserve online content in full as early as possible, since the post or the profile may be deleted.<\/p>\n The injured person may claim compensation for non-pecuniary harm and, where incurred and proved, pecuniary losses. A civil claim can be brought in the criminal proceedings under the statutory conditions, or relief can be sought in separate civil proceedings.<\/p>\n There is no automatic award of a fixed amount. The court considers the nature and publicity of the insult, its reach, the intensity and duration of its effects, the parties\u2019 relationship and the evidence presented.<\/p>\n If the person insulted responds immediately with an insult, Article 146(2) allows the court to exempt both from punishment. This does not happen automatically, and not every later retort extinguishes liability. The court examines the immediacy of the response and the actual exchange of insults.<\/p>\n Depending on the circumstances, courts have found that descriptions such as \u201cidiot\u201d, \u201cclown\u201d, \u201ceffigy\u201d, \u201cugly mug\u201d, \u201cscarecrow\u201d, \u201cspiteful person\u201d and similar expressions satisfied the elements of the offence. These examples do not mean that using the word always leads to conviction. In each case the court considers the target, context, publicity, intent and evidence.<\/p>\n Equally, not every negative judgment or ill-mannered remark is a crime. Criminal law does not resolve every personal disagreement; it protects honour and dignity against conduct that meets all the statutory elements.<\/p>\n This article provides general information and reflects the legislation as of October 2026. Each case requires its own legal assessment.<\/em><\/p>\n If you need advice on insult or defamation, or a defence in a private prosecution, you can consult a criminal lawyer such as Mihail Tomov<\/a> of the Varna Bar Association.<\/strong><\/p>\nWhat constitutes an insult under Article 146?<\/h2>\n
When is an expression insulting, and when is it legitimate criticism?<\/h2>\n
The difference between insult and defamation<\/h2>\n
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Must the injured person be present?<\/h2>\n
Insults online and on social media<\/h2>\n
How do you bring an insult case?<\/h2>\n
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What is the filing deadline?<\/h2>\n
What evidence matters?<\/h2>\n
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Can you claim compensation?<\/h2>\n
What if the injured person insults the other person in return?<\/h2>\n
Examples from case law<\/h2>\n
What should you do immediately after an insult?<\/h2>\n
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Official sources<\/h2>\n
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