In one embodiment, a charging circuit for a charge accumulator comprises a first terminal (A1) for supplying a charging voltage (UC) and for connecting the charge accumulator (SC) connected to a reference potential terminal (10), a second terminal (A2) for providing a load voltage (UD) and for connecting an electrical load (D1), a control assembly (ST) which is coupled to the first and the second terminals (A1, A2) and has a signal output (A3) for providing a first charge state signal (S1) and a test output (TA) for providing at test signal (on), and a current source (I1) that is coupled to the second terminal (A2), wherein the first charge state signal (S1) is provided depending on a value of an additional voltage (U12) between the first and the second terminals (A1, A2) and depending on the test signal (on), and wherein the charging voltage (UC) is supplied depending on the first charge state signal (S1). The invention also relates to a method for charging a charge accumulator.