The invention relates to a solution for cryopreservation, comprising 0.5 to 15 % hydroxyethyl starch and 0.1 to 1.0 mol/I of a polyol carrying between 4 and 15 hydroxyl groups in an isotonic buffer solution, wherein the solution is free of dimethylsulfoxide. The invention further relates to a method for producing such a solution and a use of such a solution as well as to a method for cryopreserving isolated cells.