A circuit arrangement is described for a microcontroller having an improved energy consumption which is achieved in that the microcontroller (2) is connected to its operating clock only during evaluation of a signal. A switching means (5) through-connecting the operating clock when a “logic 1”, signal is present at the control input is arranged between the microcontroller (2) and the clock generator (6). This “logic 1” signal is generated by setting a flip-flop (4, 7) for example, when receiving a remote control signal. The program run of the microcontroller (2) is stopped at a defined breakpoint so that there is no transient time.