The invention relates to an edge termination structure employing recesses for edge termination elements. Elements of an edge termination structure, such as multiple concentric guard rings, are effectively doped regions in a drift layer. To increase the depth of these doped regions, individual recesses may be formed in a surface of the drift layer where the elements of the edge termination structure are to be formed. Once the recesses are formed in the drift layer, these areas about and at the bottom of the recesses are doped to form the respective edge termination elements.