A miniature housing, in whose housing body there is located an element emitting or receiving electromagnetic radiation, comprises at least two electrical terminal means projecting laterally beyond the housing body. The passage side of the miniature housing, through which the element emits or receives, is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the mounting plane of the miniature housing. The electrical terminal means of the miniature housing projecting laterally beyond the housing body are connected electrically conductively to conductors, which bring about direct contacting with the emitting or receiving element. The contacting faces of the terminal means are thus arranged substantially perpendicular to the passage side of the miniature housing. As a result of this arrangement the miniature housing may be embedded at least in part in a support, such that the miniature housing is no longer of any significance to the thickness of a lighting device.