Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the production of polyamines of the diphenylmethane series having a high diamine content and a low 2,2'-diamino-diphenylmethane content by condensing aniline with formaldehyde in the presence of hydrochloric acid as catalyst, neutralizing the acid catalyst at the end of the condensation reaction and working up the polyamine mixture thus obtained by distillation, characterized in that(a) in a first reaction stage, from 2.0 to 3.5 moles of aniline are reacted with 1 mole of formaldehyde in the presence of hydrochloric acid or a condensation product produced from 2.0 to 3.5 moles of aniline and 1 mole of formaldehyde in the absence of acid catalyst is reacted in the presence of hydrochloric acid at a degree of protonation maintained at 40 to 60% at temperatures below 50.degree. C.