An electric heating element is proposed, which has a contact unit formed from at least one PTC component and contact plates resting on either side thereof and a casing, whereby for ensuring a good contact pressure in the end product in the unpressed state of the heating element the contact plates (12, 13) are curved and rest with their convex side on the PTC components (14), the casing (2) is made from dimensionally stable light metal and in the unpressed state has an inner wall (17, 18) with a finite radius of curvature (r1) facing in convex manner the contact arrangement (12, 13, 14) and which is larger than the radius of curvature (r2) of contact plates (12, 13).