A device for sterilizing plastic containers includes a transport device for transporting the containers during the sterilization along a predefined transport path, a clean room within which the containers can be transported during sterilization, wherein the clean room is delimited by at least one wall with respect to the environment, and a first external application device for sterilizing at least a section of the outer wall of the containers. The first external application device has a source of charge carriers for generation of charge carriers, and includes a first moving device which moves the containers at least intermittently in the longitudinal direction during their sterilization. The device also includes a rotary device which rotates the containers about their longitudinal direction at least intermittently during the sterilization, wherein the rotary device and the moving device are preferably configured in such a way that a rotation of the containers is enabled during a movement of the containers in their longitudinal direction.