Water-based radiation curable epoxy acrylate dispersions containing (a) an epoxy acrylate resin (P*) with at least 2 acrylate groups per molecule, this epoxy acrylate resin at 25 °C not being auto-dispersing in water, and (b) a dispersant (D*) with at least 1 acrylate group per molecule, containing compounds selected from the group of non-ionic compounds that have a HLB value lower than 12, and that contain at least two oxirane groups per molecule, compounds selected from the group of non-ionic compounds that have a HLB value between 12 and 20 and that contain at least one H-acid group per molecule, and compounds selected from the group of non-ionic compounds that have a HLB value lower than 12 and that contain at least two H-acid groups per molecule, wherein the compounds on the one hand are building blocks for (D*) and on the other hand for (P*), the compounds which include a hydrophilic structural element are building blocks for (D*) and the compounds are building blocks for (P*), these dispersions being obtainable by • transforming at first in a first step (i) one or several compounds with one or several compounds - if necessary in the presence of a catalyst -, in which one uses the compounds and in an equivalent ratio EpO: ZH between 1,3: 1 and 400:1, in which a non-acrylated precursor of (D*) arises: A+B → A+D • transforming the reaction mix obtained in the first step, in a second step (ii) with one or several compounds and with one or several compounds - if necessary in the presence of a catalyst -, using the compounds and in an equivalent ratio EpO: ZH between 1,1: 1 and 20: 1, in which a non-acrylated precursor of (P*) arises from and and partially oligomerizes, creating (D'): A + C + D → A + P + D + D' • transforming the reaction mix obtained in the second step in a third step - if necessary in the presence of a catalyst - with acrylic acid with ring-opening of all epoxy groups, in which the acrylated (P*) arises from the non-acrylated precursor and in which the acrylated (D*) arises from the non-acrylated precursor and oligomerized precursor (D'), • dispersing the reaction mix obtained in the third step in a fourth step (iv) in water. • transforming at first in a first step (i) one or several compounds with one or several compounds - if necessary in the presence of a catalyst -, in which one uses the compounds and in an equivalent ratio EpO: ZH between 1,3: 1 and 400:1, in which a non-acrylated precursor of (D*) arises: A+B → A+D • transforming the reaction mix obtained in the first step, in a second step (ii) with one or several compounds and with one or several compounds - if necessary in the presence of a catalyst -, using the compounds and in an equivalent ratio EpO: ZH between 1,1: 1 and 20: 1, in which a non-acrylated precursor of (P*) arises from and and partially oligomerizes, creating (D'): A + C + D → A + P + D + D' • transforming the reaction mix obtained in the second step in a third step - if necessary in the presence of a catalyst - with acrylic acid with ring-opening of all epoxy groups, in which the acrylated (P*) arises from the non-acrylated precursor and in which the acrylated (D*) arises from the non-acrylated precursor and oligomerized precursor (D'), • dispersing the reaction mix obtained in the third step in a fourth step (iv) in water.