The disclosure relates to a method for determining a charge state of a battery having a battery management unit. In a first operating state of the battery management unit, a battery current is regularly detected by the battery management unit. The battery management unit switches to a second operating state when the battery current exceeds a predetermined current threshold value. In the second operating state, information about the charge state of the battery is collected. Furthermore, a battery having a battery management unit is described, which is configured to carry out the method according to the disclosure.