Process for the continuous preparation of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) by reacting gamma-butyrolactone (GBL) with monomethylamine (MMA) in the liquid phase, wherein GBL and MMA are used in a molar ratio of from 1:1.08 to 1:2 and the reaction is carried out at from 320 to 380.degree. C. and an absolute pressure of from 70 to 120 bar.