Method for obtaining 5-HMF from an aqueous solution that results from the production process of 5-HMF, comprising the steps of: (A) continuous liquid-liquid extraction in which the aqueous solution, in an extraction column, is countercurrently brought into contact with a first organic solvent, the volume of which is at most 0.7 times the volume of the aqueous solution, thereby forming an aqueous raffinate phase a1 and an organic phase a2, in such a way that the aqueous raffinate phase a1 is guided as a continuous phase and the organic phase a2 is guided as a disperse phase in a first portion of the extraction column, and in such a way that the disperse organic phase a2 combines and forms a continuous organic phase a2 in a second portion of the extraction column, and the continuous organic phase a2 is brought into contact in the second portion with a polar solvent which flows through the extraction column countercurrently to the organic solvent, wherein the polar solvent combines with the aqueous raffinate phase a1 in the first portion, and the resulting raffinate phase a1 is extracted from the extraction column as a raffinate, (B) continuous liquid-liquid extraction in which the raffinate, in an extraction column, is countercurrently brought into contact with a second organic solvent, the volume of which is at least 2.5 times the volume of the raffinate, thereby forming an aqueous raffinate phase b1 and an organic phase b2, in such a way that the aqueous raffinate phase b1 is guided as a disperse phase and the organic phase b2 is guided as a continuous phase in a portion of the extraction column, and the organic phase b2 is extracted from the extraction column as an extract. (A) continuous liquid-liquid extraction in which the aqueous solution, in an extraction column, is countercurrently brought into contact with a first organic solvent, the volume of which is at most 0.7 times the volume of the aqueous solution, thereby forming an aqueous raffinate phase a1 and an organic phase a2, in such a way that the aqueous raffinate phase a1 is guided as a continuous phase and the organic phase a2 is guided as a disperse phase in a first portion of the extraction column, and in such a way that the disperse organic phase a2 combines and forms a continuous organic phase a2 in a second portion of the extraction column, and the continuous organic phase a2 is brought into contact in the second portion with a polar solvent which flows through the extraction column countercurrently to the organic solvent, wherein the polar solvent combines with the aqueous raffinate phase a1 in the first portion, and the resulting raffinate phase a1 is extracted from the extraction column as a raffinate, (B) continuous liquid-liquid extraction in which the raffinate, in an extraction column, is countercurrently brought into contact with a second organic solvent, the volume of which is at least 2.5 times the volume of the raffinate, thereby forming an aqueous raffinate phase b1 and an organic phase b2, in such a way that the aqueous raffinate phase b1 is guided as a disperse phase and the organic phase b2 is guided as a continuous phase in a portion of the extraction column, and the organic phase b2 is extracted from the extraction column as an extract. <EOS>