Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of formic acid, comprising the following steps: a) hydrolysis of methyl formate to give a mixture of water, formic acid, methanol and excess methyl formate; b) removal of the methanol and excess methyl formate from the mixture of water, formic acid, methanol and excess methyl formate by distillation to give aqueous formic acid; c) extraction of the aqueous formic acid with at least one formic acid ester to give a mixture of said at least one formic acid ester and formic acid; d) separation of said at least one formic acid ester and formic acid by distillation. The process according to the invention enables gentle preparation of formic acid. Only very slight decomposition of formic acid occurs, and the formic acid exhibits only a slight corrosion action under the reaction conditions according to the invention.