Method for automatic braking, without any active braking operation by the driver, of a vehicle equipped with an electronically controlled braking device which has a service brake, which can be operated electrically and to which a service braking pressure (p B) can be applied, and a parking brake, which can be operated electrically and to which a parking braking pressure (p F) can be applied, wherein, starting from a state in which the vehicle is stationary as a result of the service brake being applied, the service brake is released and the parking brake is applied as a function of a release criterion, wherein application of the parking brake in response to the release criterion is initiated without any delay, and the release criterion is at least one of the following criteria: a) the vehicle drive is switched off; b) the service braking pressure (p B) falls to a critical braking pressure limit value; c) the service brake is not operable; d) the vehicle power supply system voltage falls to a critical voltage limit value; e) the parking brake cannot be applied manually because of a defect; f) the operation of a control element for application of the parking brake, characterized in that - the service brake is furthermore applied, or the service braking pressure (p B) remains at its starting level, until the spring energy storage braking pressure (p F) has fallen to a lower limit value (p limit) and the process of releasing the service brake by lowering the service braking pressure (p B) is initiated only when this lower limit pressure (p limit) has been reached by the spring energy storage braking pressure (p F) and the parking brake is applying a certain minimum braking effect (z limit), and in that - starting from a state in which the parking brake is applied with the vehicle drive switched off and the service brake is released, the service brake is automatically applied, and the parking brake is automatically released, when the vehicle drive is started, wherein the process of releasing the parking brake and reducing the spring energy storage braking pressure (p F) is initiated only when the service braking pressure (p B) has reached a minimum service braking pressure (p limit) and the service brake is applying a certain minimum braking effect (z limit). a) the vehicle drive is switched off; b) the service braking pressure (p B) falls to a critical braking pressure limit value; c) the service brake is not operable; d) the vehicle power supply system voltage falls to a critical voltage limit value; e) the parking brake cannot be applied manually because of a defect; f) the operation of a control element for application of the parking brake, - the service brake is furthermore applied, or the service braking pressure (p B) remains at its starting level, until the spring energy storage braking pressure (p F) has fallen to a lower limit value (p limit) and the process of releasing the service brake by lowering the service braking pressure (p B) is initiated only when this lower limit pressure (p limit) has been reached by the spring energy storage braking pressure (p F) and the parking brake is applying a certain minimum braking effect (z limit), and in that - starting from a state in which the parking brake is applied with the vehicle drive switched off and the service brake is released, the service brake is automatically applied, and the parking brake is automatically released, when the vehicle drive is started, wherein the process of releasing the parking brake and reducing the spring energy storage braking pressure (p F) is initiated only when the service braking pressure (p B) has reached a minimum service braking pressure (p limit) and the service brake is applying a certain minimum braking effect (z limit).