In a method for diagnosing an SCR catalyst system of an internal combustion engine, the SCR catalyst system comprises at least one first SCR catalyst device (20) and at least one second SCR catalyst device (30). A first injection position upstream of the first SCR catalyst device (20) in the form of a first metering device (40) is provided for injecting liquid reducing agent for the SCR catalyst devices (20, 30). A second injection position between the two SCR catalyst devices (20, 30) in the form of a second metering device (50) is furthermore provided. Both SCR catalyst devices (20, 30) are monitored in a differentiated way by means of active and passive diagnostic methods.