A filter element for filtering media with a pleated filter medium is described. Each pleat (6) is formed by two pleated sheets which form a pleat tip (7) with one another on the crude side (3) exposed to oncoming flow. Two neighboring pleats (6) form a pleat base (8) with one another, wherein the crude side (3) and/or the clean side (4) of the filter medium has a plurality of elongated adhesive sections along at least two adhesive traces (14), each having at least one adhesive section and each having at least one adhesive interruption (15). The mutual spacing of the two pleated sheets in the region of the pleat tip (7) is between zero and two mm or the two pleated sheets are in contact with one another in the region of the pleat tip (7), wherein the pleat spacing (9) between the two pleated sheets of a pleat pocket (11) amounts to at least twice the pleat spacing in the region of the pleat tip 7 in the region of the pleat base (8).