The disclosure concerns an applicator for applying a coating agent (e.g. sealing agent) to a component, in particular for sealing or bonding a flanged seam to the motor vehicle body component. The applicator in accordance with the disclosure first has a nozzle for dispensing the coating agent in a specific jet direction onto a component surface of the component to be coated. In addition, the applicator has a nozzle carrier for positioning the nozzle. The nozzle carrier is hollow on at least part of its length to pass the coating agent. Furthermore, the nozzle carrier comprises a plurality of limbs arranged one behind the other and angled relative to each other. The nozzle is arranged on the nozzle carrier, in particular on the distal limb of the nozzle carrier. The disclosure provides that a spacer, which projects from the distal limb in the jet direction and rests on the component surface of the component to be coated in the coating operation, is mounted externally on the nozzle carrier and thereby sets a predetermined application distance between the nozzle and the component surface.