The invention relates to polycarbonates, obtained by reacting a monomer carbonate component with at least one diphenol or dialcohol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst. According to the invention, the melted components are mixed with the transesterification catalyst and a transesterification product is obtained that is then subjected to polycondensation. For polycondensation, the transesterification product is passed through a preliminary reactor, at least one intermediate reactor and a final reactor, said reactors being connected in series and having a shaft, on which mixing elements are attached, that is driven in a substantially horizontal manner. A melt residence time of between 5 minutes and 2 hours is maintained in the preliminary reactor and the final reactor, the temperatures in the preliminary reactor are maintained within the range of 220 to 300 °C and the pressure in the preliminary reactor is maintained in the range of 100 to 800 mbar and in the final reactor in the range of 0.1 to 50 mbar.