The invention relates to a rapid method for isolating nucleic acid from a nucleic acid source, wherein the nucleic acid source is lysed in the absence of a chaotropic salt and in the absence of an alcohol. The lysate is subsequently filtered through a porous matrix consisting of a material based on silica or of a silica coated material, which binds the nucleic acid in the absence of a chaotropic salt and in the absence of an alcohol. Finally, the nucleic acid is eluted from the porous matrix by an aqueous buffer solution. Furthermore, this invention relates to a test kit in order to isolate the nucleic acid.