The invention relates to a process for the partial or complete separation of a mixture comprising hydrogen chloride and phosgene, possibly solvents and possibly low boilers and inerts as are typically obtained in the preparation of isocyanates by reaction of amines with phosgene, which comprises firstly carrying out a partial or complete condensation of phosgene, then a distillation or stripping step in a column to remove the hydrogen chloride from the bottom product phosgene and subsequently a scrub of the top product hydrogen chloride by means of the process solvent to absorb the phosgene in the process solvent. An after-purification by means of adsorption on activated carbon or by another suitable method can subsequently be carried out to remove solvent residues.