A process for the continuous preparation of 4-amino-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine (TAD), comprising: passing triacetoneamine, ammonia and hydrogen over a catalyst of at least two layers in a reactor, wherein at least one catalyst layer comprises at least one element of the 4th, 5th, or 6th row of the 8th transition group of the Periodic Table or combinations of these metal elements on a suitable support, where the catalyst content with respect to each individual catalytically active element changes independently from the reactor inlet to the reactor outlet.