Silyl-benzimidazole-2-carbamic acid esters of the formula I ##STR1## where Y and Z are hydrogen or a silyl radical of the formula ##STR2## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently of one another are unsubstituted or halogen-substituted alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl of up to 12 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of up to 7 carbon atoms which is unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl or alkynyl of up to 4 carbon atoms, or phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by halogen or alkyl of up to 4 carbon atoms, and R is alkyl of up to 4 carbon atoms, with the proviso that Y and Z are not both hydrogen, and their use as fungicides.The new active ingredients are particularly suitable for combating harmful phycomycetes, ascomycetes and fungi imperfecti.