Method for processing a presence signal in a hands-free vehicle access system having capacitive sensors. After starting steps constituted by nominal operation, switching to low-energy consumption mode, and switching to polling of an interrogation signal at nominal frequency, this method includes: presence testing with nominal polling; requesting the identity of the electronic key, transmitted via a central unit; detecting the presence of a hand on a handle transmitted via a capacitive sensor to the central unit; and authorizing the unlocking of the vehicle. The method includes a step of reducing the frequency of signals transmitted by the antenna of the central unit so as to switch into a “slow polling” test, such that the capacitive sensors have sufficient time intervals to test the central unit for the presence of a hand during the information step. The capacitive sensors then have greater availability to signal the presence of a hand.