The invention relates to a sampling device for liquid samples, in which the sample is transported in a capillary-active channel from a sampling point to an identification point and the capillary-active channel is substantially configured from a support, a covering and an intermediate layer lying between the support and the covering. The support extends over the covering in the vicinity of the sampling point and the intermediate layer is recessed away from the sampling point in the vicinity of the latter. The device permits both a top dosing of the sample onto the exposed area of the support in the vicinity of the sampling point and a side dosing of said sample.