The disclosure relates to a method for operating a charging station for a motor vehicle having an electric energy store, including an energy supply device for supplying electric energy for charging the energy store and including a parking area for parking the motor vehicle during the charging process. It is provided that the availability status of the parking area is monitored by a device monitoring the surroundings which operates independently of the energy supply device and is transmitted to a control center via a communication connection. The disclosure furthermore relates to a charging station for a motor vehicle having an electric energy store.