A continuous process for the production of mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amides is described, which is characterized in that: fresh mono- or dicarboxylic acid is placed into a first reactor (R1) connected with a distillation column (C1) and subjected to a reaction with ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine to form a pre-mixture consisting of mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amide and unreacted mono- or dicarboxylic acid, while the water of condensation is distilled off; said pre-mixture is transferred into a second reactor (R2) also equipped with a distillation column (C2) and subjected to a further reaction with ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine to substantially convert all unreacted mono- or dicarboxylic acid into mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amide; and all unreacted ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine is transferred into the first reactor (R1) to start the amidation reaction.