Method for checking a security element of a security document, wherein the security element can contain at least one substance with optically variable properties, comprising the following method steps: - Illuminating the security element with at least one predetermined illumination parameter, - filtering the light reflected from the security element into a first component (RLp) with a first polarisation direction, - determining an intensity of the first component (RLp) of reflected light which is reflected at a reflection angle (φ R), for at least two reflection angles (φ R), wherein an intensity of the first component (RLp) of reflected light, which is reflected at a directed reflection angle (φ 1), is determined, wherein an intensity of the first component (RLp) of reflected light, which is reflected at least at one further reflection angle (φ R), is determined, wherein the at least one further refection angle (φ R) is different from the directed reflection angle (φ 1), wherein an angle between the polarisation direction of the first component (RLp) and a reflection plane is selected as a characteristic polarisation angle, wherein the characteristic polarisation angle is at least dependent on the at least one illumination parameter and the type of a substance to be verified with optically variable properties, - verification of a presence of a substance with optically variable properties as a function of the intensity of the first component (RLp), wherein the presence of the substance with optically variable properties is verified in the event of the intensity of the first component (RLp) at reflection under the at least one further reflection angle (φ R) being greater than the intensity of the first component (RLp) at reflection under the directed reflection angle (φ 1). - Illuminating the security element with at least one predetermined illumination parameter, - filtering the light reflected from the security element into a first component (RLp) with a first polarisation direction, - determining an intensity of the first component (RLp) of reflected light which is reflected at a reflection angle (φ R), for at least two reflection angles (φ R), wherein an intensity of the first component (RLp) of reflected light, which is reflected at a directed reflection angle (φ 1), is determined, wherein an intensity of the first component (RLp) of reflected light, which is reflected at least at one further reflection angle (φ R), is determined, wherein the at least one further refection angle (φ R) is different from the directed reflection angle (φ 1), wherein an angle between the polarisation direction of the first component (RLp) and a reflection plane is selected as a characteristic polarisation angle, wherein the characteristic polarisation angle is at least dependent on the at least one illumination parameter and the type of a substance to be verified with optically variable properties, - verification of a presence of a substance with optically variable properties as a function of the intensity of the first component (RLp), wherein the presence of the substance with optically variable properties is verified in the event of the intensity of the first component (RLp) at reflection under the at least one further reflection angle (φ R) being greater than the intensity of the first component (RLp) at reflection under the directed reflection angle (φ 1).