A method for forming an electrically conductive via in a substrate that includes the steps of: forming a through hole in a first substrate; bringing a first surface of a second substrate into contact with the first surface of the first substrate, such that the through hole in the first substrate is covered by the first surface of the second substrate; filling the through hole in the first substrate with an electrically conductive material by electroplating to form the electrically conductive via, and removing the second substrate, wherein the first surface of the first and the second substrate each have a surface roughness Ra of less than 2 nm, preferably less than 1 nm, more preferably less than 0.5 nm, and the first surface of the first and the second substrate are brought in direct contact with each other, such that a direct bond is formed there between.