A steering column for a motor vehicle is adjustable at least in its longitudinal direction. The steering column includes a support unit chassis of the motor vehicle, a setting unit and a clamping mechanism which comprises a clamp bolt and at least one arrest element cooperating with at least one securement element. At least one arrest element during the closing of the clamping mechanism is displaced in the axial direction of the clamp bolt with respect to the support unit and clamped with a securement element connected with the setting unit, and at least one securement element is connected with the setting unit so that in normal operation it is held nondisplaceably in the longitudinal direction of the steering column with respect to the setting unit and in the event of a crash is displaceable with respect to the setting unit under energy absorption. The support unit includes on both sides of the setting unit side jaws, through which penetrates the clamp bolt through openings. At least one arrest element penetrates the side jaw of the support unit and/or a side shank of an intermediate unit through an opening and is held in the opening of the corresponding side jaw of the support unit and/or in the opening of the corresponding side jaw of the intermediate unit such that it is nondisplaceable in the longitudinal direction of the steering column.