an overvoltage protection element with a housing , an overvoltage - limiting component arranged in the housing , and with two connection elements for electrically connecting the overvoltage protection element to the current or signal path to be protected , wherein , normally , the connection elements are each in electrical contact with a pole of the overvoltage - limiting component . reliable and effective electrical connection in the normal state and reliable isolation of a defective overvoltage - limiting component are ensured by the fact that a thermally expandable material is arranged within the housing in a way that , in the event of thermal overloading of the overvoltage - limiting component , the position of the overvoltage - limiting component is changed by expansion of the thermally expandable material relative to the position of the connection elements in a way that causes at least one pole of the overvoltage - limiting component to be out of electrical contact with the corresponding connection element .