Method for cutting and removing underwater pipelines, comprising the following steps: a) determining the position of the underwater pipeline to be removed; b) positioning, on the said line, guiding means for positioning cutting means and means for recovering the cut pipe sections, said guiding means being able to be repositioned along said line and being stably connected to a boat intended to collect the recovered sections; c) guided positioning of the cutting means and guided positioning of the recovery means; d) cutting of the pipe section of predetermined length and subsequent removal of said section by means of said recovery means; e) transfer of the pipe section recovered by said recovery means to said boat; f) repositioning of the guiding means along the remaining line portion to be removed and repetition of the preceding steps c) to e) until the underwater pipeline has been completely removed; and an apparatus for implementing this method.