Method for regenerating a particulate filter of an internal combustion engine

The method involves simultaneously maintaining an intake valve (11) and an exhaust valve (12) during exhaust phase and intake phase of engine cycle without injection of fuel into a combustion chamber (14) by a fuel injector (15). The exhaust valve is opened, and opening of the intake valve is initiated prior to the simultaneous maintenance of the intake valve and the exhaust valve. Closing of the exhaust valve is delayed, and simultaneous maintenance of the valves is initiated by advance opening of the intake valve.