A process for the isolation of amines from aqueous solutions by continuous distillation of aqueous solutions of the amines by a two-pressure method of rectifying aqueous solutions of amines which form with water an azeotrop, the composition of which is pressure-dependent, in two columns at different pressures provided that: a) the pressure in the second column is set to a value at least 0.5 bar higher than in the first column, b) the aqueous amine solution is fed, as a side stream, to the first column, and water and portions which boil at a higher temperature than the amine or which are non-volatile are removed at the base of the column, c) a mixture of amine and water is withdrawn at the head of the first column and fed, as a side stream, to the second column, d) an azeotrope of water and amine is withdrawn at the head of the second column and recycled to the first column, and (e) the purified amine is discharged at the base of the second column.