A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil and a second carrier foil arranged at a certain distance by means of an inner spacer. The inner spacer comprises at least one cut-out defining an active area of said switching element where at least two electrode structures are arranged between said first and second carrier foil so as to define at least one pair of spaced switch contacts. According to the invention, the switching element further comprises a first outer spacer layer, said first outer spacer layer being arranged on an outer surface of said first carrier foil and said first outer spacer layer comprising at least one opening in the region of said active area. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the foil-type switching element further comprises a second outer spacer layer, said second outer spacer layer being arranged on an outer surface of said second carrier foil and said second outer spacer layer comprising at least one opening in the region of said active area.