The invention relates to a process for preparing a C8-C24 alkyl(meth)acrylate by transesterification of methyl(meth)acrylate with a C8-C24 alkanol, said process comprising the steps of:(i) reacting methyl(meth)acrylate with the C8-C24 alkanol in the presence of a tin-comprising catalyst and a stabilizer in the presence of an entraining agent which forms an azeotrope with methanol,(ii) continuously distilling off the azeotrope of entraining agent and methanol wherein steps (i) and (ii) are carried out simultaneously until the C8-C24 alkanol has been substantially completely reacted,(iii) washing with an aqueous alkaline washing solution the C8-C24 alkyl (meth)acrylate-comprising product mixture obtained in steps (i) and (ii) to remove from the product mixture the tin-comprising catalyst and at least some of the stabilizer,(iv) distilling off unconverted methyl(meth)acrylate and entraining agent from the product mixture,(v) distilling off water from the product mixturewherein a product having a by-product content of