A method for estimating the frequency shift of a CPFSK signal includes scanning the CPFSK signal. Intermediate signal values are determined for the scanned CPFSK signal. An estimated value (.nu.) is determined for the frequency shift of the CPFSK signal by assessing a predefined number of L.sub.0 consecutive intermediate signal values. An integer delay parameter D is specified. Intermediate signal values for intervals kT+.tau. are determined in each case from scanning values of the CPFSK signal obtained for intervals kDT+.tau. and [k-1]DT+.tau., whereby T designates a scanning period of the scanned CPFSK signal, k is a scanning index and .tau. is a delay constant. The estimated value (.nu.) for the frequency shift is determined from the intermediate signal values for intervals iDT+.tau. with i=0 . . . L.sub.0-1. The integer delay parameter D is variable and is selected depending on the type of CPFSK modulation used for the CPFSK signal.