The invention relates to an overvoltage protection circuit (106, 300, 501, 604, 703, 800) comprising: i) a first terminal (V+) and a second terminal (V-) for receiving a supply voltage (VL) at a load (103); ii) a voltage clamping circuit (801) connected between said terminals (V+, V-) and providing a clamping current path (CCP) between said terminals (V+, V-) as soon as the supply voltage (VL) over said terminals (V+, V-) reaches a preset clamping voltage (VCLP) such that said supply volt- age (VL) is substantially limited to said clamping voltage (VCLP). The overvoltage protection circuit (106, 300, 501, 604, 703, 800) further comprises a controllable resistance circuit (803) connected between said terminals (V+, V-) parallel to the voltage clamping circuit (801), wherein the controlla- ble resistance circuit (803) is configured for providing a resistive current path (RCP) parallel to the clamping current path (CCP) of the voltage clamping circuit (801) when the voltage clamping circuit (801) is activated such that it conducts an electrical current (Icl), and for providing a high- impedance parallel to the clamping current path (CCP) of the voltage clamping circuit (801) when voltage clamping circuit (801) is deactivated. The invention provides for a solution that exploits the benefits of two different solutions namely that of voltage clamping semiconductor elements and resistors.