This invention relates to a dielectric barrier Xe discharge lamp comprising an UV-B phosphor. The lamp consists of a gas-tight, discharge vessel with a gas filling containing Xe or a Xe/Ne mixture and is provided with a luminescent layer, which comprises at least one luminescent material emitting in the UV-B range (280 to 320 nm). The luminescent layer comprises a Gd3+ activated phosphor according to the formulas McPO4:Gd, Lal1—XAl3(BO3)4:Gdx, and La1—xB3O6:Gdx which is eventually sensitised by Bi3+, Pr3+ or Nd3+ The advantages of such an UV-B emitting discharge lamp over fluorescent lamps based on a Hg low-pressure discharge are a high power density, 10 instant light, long lifetime, a spectral power distribution which is only determined by the phosphor blend, and an arbitrary burner design.