Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for controlling the NOx regeneration of a NOx storage catalyst (14) disposed in the exhaust gas train (12) of an internal combustion engine (10) of a motor vehicle. The NOx regeneration is at least initiated when a threshold value is exceeded for a load state of a NOx storage catalyst (14) or a NOx emission downstream from the NOx storage catalyst (14). According to the invention, it is detected (a) whether the internal combustion engine (10) is idling and (b) alternately or in any possible combination, the threshold value for the load state or the NOx emission is increased; the NOx-regeneration is only initiated after a specific amount of time has elapsed and a current NOx regeneration is interrupted when a shift occurs into an idling mode.