The application relates to a method for stall-starting a hybrid vehicle comprising a combustion engine (12), an electric machine (14), a transmission (16) and two clutches (20, 22). In a first stall phase torque output of the combustion engine (12) is increased and compensated by the electric machine (14) operating as a generator. In the second start phase the method comprises configuring the electric machine (14) not to operate as a generator, in particular to operate as a motor. A further independent claim is directed to a stall-start apparatus. This avoids overheating the clutches (20, 22) and battery depletion, while at the same time providing high acceleration.