The invention relates to a ceramic sheathed element glow plug. According to the invention, a metallic tubular holder holds a ceramic u-shaped heating device at its combustion chamber side end in an unsupported manner and has a terminal stud on the other side, away from the combustion chamber, for applying a voltage to the ceramic heating device. Said ceramic heating device has a section with a larger diameter at the end encompassed by the holder and is covered with an insulating layer which has recesses for an electrical contact. One recess is provided on the face of the ceramic heating device away from the combustion chamber and a second recess is provided on the outer wall of the ceramic heating device. An electroconductive sealing mass is located between the outer wall of the ceramic heating device and the inner wall of the holder.