A method for producing a buried stop zone in a semiconductor body and a semiconductor component having a stop zone, the method including providing a semiconductor body having a first and a second side and a basic doping of a first conduction type. The method further includes irradiating the semiconductor body via one of the sides with protons, as a result of which protons are introduced into a first region of the semiconductor body situated at a distance from the irradiation side. The method also includes carrying out a thermal process in which the semiconductor body is heated to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time duration, the temperature and the duration being chosen such that hydrogen-induced donors are generated both in the first region and in a second region adjacent to the first region in the direction of the irradiation side.