A process for the separation and recovery of methanol from gases by water washing, comprising the following steps: (a) providing a washing column, comprising a jacket which - based on a properly arranged condition of the washing column - extends along a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the vertical and which encloses an interior space of the washing column, wherein the interior space is divided into an upper and a lower region, which each comprise at least one mass transfer zone and which are separated from each other by means of a tray, in particular a chimney tray, wherein the tray is permeable for a gas flow directed from the lower to the upper mass transfer zone, but is impermeable for a liquid flow directed from the upper to the lower mass transfer zone and is suitable to temporarily store a defined volume of washing agent flowing out of the upper mass transfer zone, wherein the upper and the lower mass transfer zone are equipped with mass transfer devices, preferably separation trays, sieve trays, bubble trays, valve trays, structured packings or packed beds or combinations of these mass transfer devices, (b) supplying water as washing agent to a first heat exchanger, cooling the washing agent in the first heat exchanger, discharging a cooled stream of washing agent from the first heat exchanger and supplying the cooled stream of washing agent into the upper region of the washing column, wherein the addition point is arranged above the upper mass transfer zone and is designed as liquid distributor, (c) discharging a stream of washing agent partly loaded with methanol from the separation tray and supplying the stream of washing agent partly loaded with methanol to a second heat exchanger, discharging the cooled stream of washing agent partly loaded with methanol from the second heat exchanger and supplying the cooled stream of washing agent partly loaded with methanol into the lower region of the washing column, wherein the addition point is arranged below the chimney tray and above the lower mass transfer zone and is designed as liquid distributor, (d) discharging a stream of washing agent loaded with methanol from the lower region of the washing column as its bottom product, wherein the withdrawal point of the loaded stream of washing agent is arranged below the lower mass transfer zone, (e) supplying a gas stream loaded with methanol into the lower region of the washing column, wherein the addition point is arranged below the lower mass transfer zone, (f) discharging a gas stream reduced in its methanol loading from the upper region of the washing column as its top product, wherein the withdrawal point of the gas stream is arranged above the upper mass transfer zone. (a) providing a washing column, comprising a jacket which - based on a properly arranged condition of the washing column - extends along a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the vertical and which encloses an interior space of the washing column, wherein the interior space is divided into an upper and a lower region, which each comprise at least one mass transfer zone and which are separated from each other by means of a tray, in particular a chimney tray, wherein the tray is permeable for a gas flow directed from the lower to the upper mass transfer zone, but is impermeable for a liquid flow directed from the upper to the lower mass transfer zone and is suitable to temporarily store a defined volume of washing agent flowing out of the upper mass transfer zone, wherein the upper and the lower mass transfer zone are equipped with mass transfer devices, preferably separation trays, sieve trays, bubble trays, valve trays, structured packings or packed beds or combinations of these mass transfer devices, (b) supplying water as washing agent to a first heat exchanger, cooling the washing agent in the first heat exchanger, discharging a cooled stream of washing agent from the first heat exchanger and supplying the cooled stream of washing agent into the upper region of the washing column, wherein the addition point is arranged above the upper mass transfer zone and is designed as liquid distributor, (c) discharging a stream of washing agent partly loaded with methanol from the separation tray and supplying the stream of washing agent partly loaded with methanol to a second heat exchanger, discharging the cooled stream of washing agent partly loaded with methanol from the second heat exchanger and supplying the cooled stream of washing agent partly loaded with methanol into the lower region of the washing column, wherein the addition point is arranged below the chimney tray and above the lower mass transfer zone and is designed as liquid distributor, (d) discharging a stream of washing agent loaded with methanol from the lower region of the washing column as its bottom product, wherein the withdrawal point of the loaded stream of washing agent is arranged below the lower mass transfer zone, (e) supplying a gas stream loaded with methanol into the lower region of the washing column, wherein the addition point is arranged below the lower mass transfer zone, (f) discharging a gas stream reduced in its methanol loading from the upper region of the washing column as its top product, wherein the withdrawal point of the gas stream is arranged above the upper mass transfer zone.