A capacitive level sensor comprises a probe which is longitudinally segmented into a plurality of segments. Each segment comprises an electrode forming an electrical capacitor to a common ground electrode. Each electrode is connected to a measuring circuit via an associated one of a plurality of controllable switches. A control means controls said switches to successively and separately connect the capacitors to the measuring circuit. To simplify the design and manufacture of the level sensor, the controllable switches are individually arranged in the associated segments of the probe, and the control means is subdivided into control units respectively arranged in the segments and connected to a single control line. Alternatively, if a plurality of controllable measuring circuits are individually arranged in the associated segments and connected to an associated one of said electrodes, and if the control means successively and separately activates the measuring circuits, the control means is subdivided into control units respectively arranged in the segments of the probe and connected to a single control line.