A method of controlling access to an area accessible by persons, particularly to a space closed by a door, utilizes a first mobile communications unit on which at least one access code is filed and a receiver unit for receiving the access code. In a first variant of the method, when an activation signal is transmitted by the communications unit within a predetermined range of the receiver unit, the receiver unit is activated and the access code is transmitted from the communications unit to the receiver unit. After a successful check of the access code by the receiver unit the access is freed. In a second variant, when the activation signal is transmitted by the receiver unit within a predetermined range of the communications unit, the receiver unit is activated. The access code is subsequently transmitted from the communications unit to the receiver unit and after a successful check of the access code by the receiver unit the access is freed.