A chip card reader comprises a contact support (2) in which are arranged read contact springs (17) and an end position switch in the form of switch contact springs (21, 22) which indicates the operating mode. The read contact-springs contact regions of a chip card (13) inserted in a read position in the chip card reader. In its operating mode in the read position of the card, the end position switch acts approximately perpendicular to the direction of insertion (20) of the card. Hence, in the read position, no component of force is produced which would act in the direction opposite to that of insertion of the card.