A filter element has a filter body having a longitudinal axis, wherein the filter body has a first end with a first end face and a second end with a second end face opposite the first end in direction of the longitudinal axis. The filter body is provided with inner and outer circumferential surfaces permeable for a medium to be filtered. A first end disk is arranged at the first end face and a second end disk is arranged at the second end face. The outer circumferential surface of the filter body has at least one fluid-tight area that is impermeable for the medium to be filtered. The fluid-tight area is an incoming flow protector or an improper handling protector resting on the outer circumferential surface.