A contact element, in particular for making electrical contact to a sensing element of a gas sensor. The contact element has at least one connecting conductor, guided in a metal-sheathed line and contacted to at least one flexible connecting line. A connecting point between the at least one connecting conductor and the at least one connecting line is arranged in a contact housing that allows sealed and temperature-resistance contacting. The contact housing has at least one connecting element that is immovably joined to the at least one connecting line and may be contacted to the at least one connecting conductor. The at least one connecting element is arranged with an interference fit and in a form locking manner in the contact housing. The contact housing is enclosed by a temperature-resistant protective sleeve, which is joined directly to the metal-sheathed line (20,22) and to the at least one connecting line (20, 22).