A valve cartridge has a capsule and a valve insert, which is connected to the capsule by way of a first end and has a valve body with a main valve seat at the other end. A plunger is movably guided within the valve cartridge, it being possible for the plunger to move against the force of a return spring and the plunger having a closing element with a sealing element that interacts with the main valve seat of the valve body in a sealing manner to provide a sealing function. A corresponding solenoid valve has a valve cartridge of this kind. A magnetic damping assembly has a permanent magnet and an electrical conductor which is arranged in the magnetic field of the permanent magnet and is coupled to the moving plunger and can be moved substantially perpendicular to the magnetic field.