In a contact element for direct electrical contacting of a contact surface on a circuit board, a front insertion portion is constituted by a metal sheet having two multiple-ply lateral edges located opposite one another, and having a center portion located therebetween and having fewer plies, in particular one ply, the two lateral edges extending with their outer peripheral edges parallel to one another and each being turned over at least once; and at least one of the two outer lateral edges having a projecting contacting protrusion for direct electrical contacting of a contact surface.