The carbon dioxide recovery method and apparatus are capable of reducing energy for regenerating the absorbing liquid and operating cost. An absorption column has first and second absorbing sections that a gas is supplied through the first absorbing section to the second absorbing section and the absorbing liquid absorbs carbon dioxide. A regeneration column regenerating the absorbing liquid has first and second regenerating sections. The first regenerating section has an external heating implement and the second regenerating section is heated by the gas discharged from the first regeneration section. Circulation mechanism has a circulation system circulating the absorbing liquid between the second absorbing section and the first regenerating section, and a branch path branched from the circulation system. A part of the absorbing liquid circulating the circulation system flows from the second absorbing section through the first absorbing section and the second regenerating section successively to the first regenerating section.