Process for the preparation of pure aniline, comprising the following steps: a) providing a crude aniline fraction containing, with respect to the total weight of aniline and phenol in the crude aniline fraction, 80.000 % by weight to 99.999 % by weight of aniline and 0.001 % by weight to 20.000 % by weight of phenol; b) dividing the crude aniline fraction from step a) into a first partial stream and a second partial stream; c) distilling the first partial stream from step b) in a first distillation column and distilling the second partial stream from step b) in a second distillation column, wherein the first distillation column is operated at a higher head pressure than the second distillation column, with the proviso that the first and the second distillation columns are respectively operated at a head pressure in the range from 1.0 mbar (abs.) to 500 mbar (abs.), and wherein from the first and the second distillation columns respectively • a gaseous aniline distillate is removed as the overhead product and subsequently condensed, wherein a first partial stream of the condensed aniline distillate is returned to the first and/or the second distillation column as a recycle stream and a second partial stream of the condensed aniline distillate is removed as the product stream, and • a liquid bottom stream which is concentrated in phenol is removed, from which a first portion is partially or completely vaporised and is returned to the respective distillation column, and from which a second portion is discharged; d) using the heat released during the condensation of the aniline distillate from the first distillation column to provide the heat necessary for vaporising the first portion of the bottom stream from the second distillation column. a) providing a crude aniline fraction containing, with respect to the total weight of aniline and phenol in the crude aniline fraction, 80.000 % by weight to 99.999 % by weight of aniline and 0.001 % by weight to 20.000 % by weight of phenol; b) dividing the crude aniline fraction from step a) into a first partial stream and a second partial stream; c) distilling the first partial stream from step b) in a first distillation column and distilling the second partial stream from step b) in a second distillation column, wherein the first distillation column is operated at a higher head pressure than the second distillation column, with the proviso that the first and the second distillation columns are respectively operated at a head pressure in the range from 1.0 mbar (abs.) to 500 mbar (abs.), and wherein from the first and the second distillation columns respectively • a gaseous aniline distillate is removed as the overhead product and subsequently condensed, wherein a first partial stream of the condensed aniline distillate is returned to the first and/or the second distillation column as a recycle stream and a second partial stream of the condensed aniline distillate is removed as the product stream, and • a liquid bottom stream which is concentrated in phenol is removed, from which a first portion is partially or completely vaporised and is returned to the respective distillation column, and from which a second portion is discharged; • a gaseous aniline distillate is removed as the overhead product and subsequently condensed, wherein a first partial stream of the condensed aniline distillate is returned to the first and/or the second distillation column as a recycle stream and a second partial stream of the condensed aniline distillate is removed as the product stream, and • a liquid bottom stream which is concentrated in phenol is removed, from which a first portion is partially or completely vaporised and is returned to the respective distillation column, and from which a second portion is discharged; d) using the heat released during the condensation of the aniline distillate from the first distillation column to provide the heat necessary for vaporising the first portion of the bottom stream from the second distillation column.