In an embodiment a method for manufacturing a multilayer varistor includes providing a first ceramic powder for producing a first ceramic material and at least one second ceramic powder for producing a second ceramic material, wherein the ceramic powders differ from each other in concentration of monovalent elements X+ by 50 ppm≤Δc(X+)≤5000 ppm, wherein X+=(Li+, Na+, K+ or Ag+), and wherein Δc denotes a maximum concentration difference occurring between an active region and a near-surface region of the multilayer varistor, slicking of the ceramic powders and forming of green films, partially printing of a part of the green films with a metal paste to form inner electrodes, stacking printed and unprinted green films, laminating, decarbonizing and sintering the green films and applying outer electrodes.