A differential protection method allows monitoring a three-phase transformer. Current measured values are recorded for each phase on all sides of the transformer, a phase-related formation of difference values is carried out using the current measured values from a reference side and amplitude-adjusted and phase-angle-adjusted current measured values from all other sides. An internal error is detected if a difference value exceeds a threshold value. In order to form the amplitude-adjusted and phase-angle-adjusted current measured values, the current measured values recorded for all phases are initially subjected to an amplitude adjustment and then to a phase angle adjustment. In order to allow the phase angle shift to be freely adjusted, a defined matrix equation with a defined matrix coefficient is used for the phase angle adjustment of the current measured values from the particular other side of the transformer. There is also described a differential protection device.