An adapter for providing a recessed lamp in a screw-type lampholder. This adapter has an electrical contact-making device, via which an electrical connection is produced between a screw base, which can be introduced into the screw-type lampholder, of the adapter and the recessed lamp once the recessed lamp has been introduced into the adapter. Furthermore, the adapter has a switchable electrical connecting device, via which, in the state in which there is no mechanical connection between an enveloping bulb for the recessed lamp and the adapter, an electrical connection is not produced between the screw base and the recessed lamp, and via which, in the state in which the recessed lamp is surrounded, at least in sections, by the enveloping bulb, an electrical connection is produced between the screw base and the recessed lamp. As a result, the recessed lamp in the adapter can only be operated with the enveloping bulb placed thereon.