Process for preparing 2,2-difluoroethanol, comprising the following steps: reacting 1-chloro-2,2-difluoroethane with an alkali metal salt of formic acid or acetic acid in a suitable solvent to give the corresponding 2,2-difluoroethyl formate or 2,2-difluoroethyl acetate, and transesterifying the 2,2-difluoroethyl formate or 2,2-difluoroethyl acetate from step (i) in the presence of an alcohol and optionally of a base.