Process for the preparation of di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, comprising the steps: a) subjecting aniline and formaldehyde to acid catalyzed condensation so as to obtain an acidic process product containing water, di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, and aniline; b) neutralizing the process product obtained in step a) followed by separation into an organic phase containing MDA and aniline and an aqueous phase; c) optionally, washing the organic phase containing MDA and aniline obtained in step b); d) distilling the organic phase containing MDA and aniline obtained in step b) or step c) so as to obtain a first product stream containing, in relation to its total mass, at least 25.0 mass-% of polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, wherein the remainder to 100 mass-% consists at least of the diamines of the diphenylmethane series, and a second product stream containing, in relation to its total mass, at least 95.0 mass-% of diamines of the diphenylmethane series (MMDA), the process comprising the steps • in a distillation column, separating off a stream containing aniline and water as head product so as to obtain the first product stream as sump product, • in said distillation column or in an apparatus arranged downstream of said distillation column, performing a stripping with steam so as to obtain a gaseous stream containing aniline, water and MMDA, • partially condensing the gaseous stream containing aniline, water and MMDA obtained by the stripping with steam so as to obtain a liquid stream containing MMDA and water and a gaseous stream containing aniline and water, • drying the liquid stream containing MMDA and water obtained by the partial condensation so as to obtain the second product stream. a) subjecting aniline and formaldehyde to acid catalyzed condensation so as to obtain an acidic process product containing water, di- and polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, and aniline; b) neutralizing the process product obtained in step a) followed by separation into an organic phase containing MDA and aniline and an aqueous phase; c) optionally, washing the organic phase containing MDA and aniline obtained in step b); d) distilling the organic phase containing MDA and aniline obtained in step b) or step c) so as to obtain a first product stream containing, in relation to its total mass, at least 25.0 mass-% of polyamines of the diphenylmethane series, wherein the remainder to 100 mass-% consists at least of the diamines of the diphenylmethane series, and a second product stream containing, in relation to its total mass, at least 95.0 mass-% of diamines of the diphenylmethane series (MMDA), the process comprising the steps • in a distillation column, separating off a stream containing aniline and water as head product so as to obtain the first product stream as sump product, • in said distillation column or in an apparatus arranged downstream of said distillation column, performing a stripping with steam so as to obtain a gaseous stream containing aniline, water and MMDA, • partially condensing the gaseous stream containing aniline, water and MMDA obtained by the stripping with steam so as to obtain a liquid stream containing MMDA and water and a gaseous stream containing aniline and water, • drying the liquid stream containing MMDA and water obtained by the partial condensation so as to obtain the second product stream. • in a distillation column, separating off a stream containing aniline and water as head product so as to obtain the first product stream as sump product, • in said distillation column or in an apparatus arranged downstream of said distillation column, performing a stripping with steam so as to obtain a gaseous stream containing aniline, water and MMDA, • partially condensing the gaseous stream containing aniline, water and MMDA obtained by the stripping with steam so as to obtain a liquid stream containing MMDA and water and a gaseous stream containing aniline and water, • drying the liquid stream containing MMDA and water obtained by the partial condensation so as to obtain the second product stream.