A vertical power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body having opposing first and second main surfaces. At least part of a gate trench structure formed at the first main surface extends along a first lateral direction. Body and source regions directly adjoin the gate trench structure. A drift region is arranged between the body region and second main surface. A body contact structure includes first and second body contact sub-regions spaced at a first lateral distance along the first lateral direction. Each body contact sub-region directly adjoins the gate trench structure and has a larger doping concentration than the body region. In a channel region between the body contact sub-regions, the body contact structure has a second lateral distance to the gate trench structure along a second lateral direction perpendicular to the first lateral direction. The first lateral distance is equal to or less than twice the second lateral distance.