A method for operating an internal combustion engine using an external exhaust-gas recirculation device with a recirculation setting device to set the flow rate of the recirculated exhaust gas and using a closing time setting device to adjust the closing time of the at least one inlet valve of the internal combustion engine. For the reduction of nitrogen oxides emitted by the internal combustion engine, it is possible, by way of the closing time setting device, for a nitrogen oxide reduction cycle to be set in which the at least one inlet valve of the internal combustion engine closes earlier or later than in the basic cycle. If the torque of the internal combustion engine falls below at least a defined torque threshold value, the internal combustion engine is operated in the basic cycle and the recirculation of the exhaust gas is enabled by way of the recirculation setting device, and wherein, if the torque of the internal combustion engine exceeds the defined torque threshold value, the internal combustion engine is operated in the nitrogen oxide reduction cycle and the recirculation of the exhaust gas is blocked by way of the recirculation setting device.