The present invention relates to 5-azido levulinic acid, a process for its preparation, its use. Using 5-azido levulinic acid as starting material for the synthesis of 5-amino levulinic acid hydrochloride it is possible to obtain the latter in good yield an in pharmaceutical acceptable quality. 5-Azido levuliniv acid is synthesized in that methyl 5-bromo levulinate and/or methyl 5-chloro levulinate is converted with aqueous hydrochloric acid and as a result of an incomplete bromine/chlorine exchange at the C-5-postion a mixture of 5-chloro levulinic acid and 5-bromo levulinic acid is obtained, and the obtained 5-chloro levulinic acid, a mixture of 5-chloro levulinic acid and 5-bromo levulinic acid and the pure 5-bromo levulinic acid is transferred into 5-azido levulinic acid by conversion with a nucleophilic azide.