The invention relates to a method for producing esters from unsaturated carboxylic acids with a higher boiling point than water, especially acrylic acid or methacrylic acid; and polyhydric alcohols in a reactor (2). The liquid reaction mixture (1) contains polymerisation inhibitors and the reaction water that is produced is at least partially separated in a vapour state. The method is characterised in that part of the gas-vapour phase of the reaction mixture (1) is removed from the reactor (2), said part of the gas-vapour phase is partially condensed in a dephlegmator (6), a liquid containing the polymerisation inhibitor is added to the rising gas/vapour mixture and to the off-running condensate from the head of the dephlegmator (6) and the complete off-running mixture is returned to the reactor (2).