A compact filter element in which the end faces of a plurality of nonwoven filter layers (3) are fixedly integrated into a cover (4) and in which the oncoming flow of fluid to be filtered is deflected in the cover (4) in such a way that the fluid flows respectively into every second or alternating area between two adjacent nonwoven filter layers (3) and flows through the nonwoven filter layers (3) into the intervening spaces between the spaces between filter layers in to which it initially flows, from which intervening spaces it exits the filter element.