An electrical heating device includes a fluid-tight casing comprising inlet and outlet openings for the fluid to be heated, and at least one heat-generating element disposed in the casing. The heat generating element includes at least one PTC element and conductor elements of different polarities received in a flat tube. Heat heat-emitting elements abut against opposite sides of the flat tube. In order to increase the power density, the heat-emitting elements abut against the flat tube subject to spring pretension.