An electrical tubular heating element is disclosed with a tubular metal sheath, in whose interior an electrical heating element is arranged, which is formed from a resistive wire and is electrically insulated from the tubular metal sheath at least in sections by an electrically insulating material, in which the resistive wire, from which the electrical heating element is formed, is penetrated by at least one opening and/or has a contoured peripheral surface. A method for manufacturing such an electrical tubular heating element is also disclosed.