The present invention relates to a method for producing an electric contact element from a semifinished product and to the electric contact element and the corresponding semifinished product. The method for producing an electric contact element (100), which can be electrically contacted by a mating contact, comprises the following steps: producing a wire (120) from a first electrically conductive material (112); coating the wire surface with a sheath (114) made of a second electrically conductive material; partially removing the sheath (114) in a direction along a longitudinal wire axis (118); forming at least one cylindrical semifinished product (110) by dividing the wire in a direction transverse to the longitudinal wire axis; fixing the semifinished product on a contact carrier (104) such that the second electrically conductive material is connected to the contact carrier; and reshaping the welded semifinished product so as to form the contact element (100), wherein a contact area (106), which is accessible for a mating contact, is formed by the first electrically conductive material.