A method for ascertaining a position of a rotor relative to a stator of an electrical machine having a permanently excited rotor and a plurality of windings for the stator or vice versa; in response to an energization of at least one of the windings, a change in an inductance of the winding being ascertained; and, on the basis of the change in the inductance of the winding, the position of the rotor being ascertained relative to the stator.