A brake system for a vehicle has at least two hydraulic brake circuits, each with at least one hydraulically acting wheel brake, and a switching valve on each hydraulically acting wheel brake, which switching valve connects in each case one hydraulically acting wheel brake to one of the two brake circuits. The brake system also has a central outlet switching valve which brings about a switchable hydraulic connection between at least one of the brake circuits and a reservoir vessel, wherein the reduction in pressure in the at least one hydraulically acting wheel brake is effected by opening the central outlet switching valve and the associated switching valve.