The present invention relates to an electrical fuse element having an essentially ceramic housing which, in the unfired state, is closed around at least one fusible conductor. To improve the properties of such a fuse element with respect to the extremely high internal pressures occurring during switching off as well as when exposed to an arc, a fuse element (5) in which the fusible conductor (1) has an electrically conducting component, in particular a metallic wire (2), and an insulating, porous component is proposed.