A contact unit (10) for an on-load tap changer comprises a connector body (11) and a contact holder (12) coupled to each other, wherein the connector body (11) is configured to connect the contact holder (12) to a contact (2) of the on-load tap changer. The contact unit (10) further comprises a contact element (17) coupled to the contact holder (12) and configured to make electrical contact to a contact element (31) of a contact device (30) for the on-load tap changer. The contact unit (10) further comprises drive and guiding means (13, 15, 16) coupled to the contact holder (12) such that the contact element (17) is movable driven and linearly guided in a direction (T1, T2) away from the connector body (11) .