A PTC heating element includes a heating element casing that fits, as a structural unit, at least one PTC element and contact plates that energize the PTC element and that form contact strips for an electrical plug connection in order to electrically connect electrodes that are electrically connected to the PTC element. The PTC element is covered with an insulation layer at least on one of its two main side surfaces. In order to provide such a heating element casing that is inexpensive to produce and of a light-weight configuration, the PTC heating element comprises an injection-molded plastic frame which encloses the insulation layer only at the edge and which defines oppositely disposed frame openings, behind which the PTC element with its main side surfaces is located.