The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 2-amino-1,3-propanediol, having a content of organic impurities lower than 0.1% and inorganic impurities lower than 0.05%, comprising the following steps:a) formation of a 2-amino-1,3-propanediol salt with an acid;b) crystallization of the salt resulting from step a) from an aqueous or a hydro-organic mixture with a solvent selected from the group consisting of an alcohol of general formula R--OH, wherein R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 straight or branched alkyl chain, and a mono(C.sub.1 -C.sub.3)alkylether of the (C.sub.3 -C.sub.7)alkylcellosolve group;c) elution of the free base by using ion exchangers to give an aqueous solution of said base;d) precipitation or crystallization of the solid 2-amino-1,3-propanediol from a solvent as defined in step b).