A battery module for a motor vehicle has a battery module housing (30) with an insertion opening (32) and at least one battery cell package (40) is arranged in the battery module housing (30). The battery cell package (40) has at least two battery cells (42) arranged parallel to one another and at least one compression pad (44) arranged parallel to the battery cells (42). The battery cells (42) and the at least one compression pad (44) are stacked one on top of the other in any desired order in a thickness direction (D). The battery cell package (40) is inserted in an insertion direction (E) through the insertion opening (32) into the battery module housing (30). The battery cell package (40) also has two insertion auxiliary layers (46) that respectively form outer sides (41) of the battery cell package (40) that are opposite in the thickness direction (D).