The invention relates to a method for carrying out an internal exhaust gas recirculation to the combustion chamber of a Diesel internal combustion engine according to which the inlet valve is briefly opened during the exhaust cycle. According to the invention, the start (Hv1) of the inlet valve approach stroke (HEv) lies in the range of 180° to 210° crank angle (KW) after the upper dead center (OTZ) of ignition, thereby improving emission performance in the low speed range and in the medium and high speed range.