A method for the production of a portable data carrier having an integrated circuit and a contact field galvanically connected to the integrated circuit. In an area defined by the contact field, the portable data carrier is shaped and the contact field is embodied such that a direct contacting of the contact field by a contacting component embodied in accordance with the USB standard is possible. The portable data carrier in its final form is produced in chip card technology. Alternatively, an element is produced in chip card technology, which element features the integrated circuit and the contact filed, and data and/or program code required for the operation of the portable data carrier are loaded into the integrated circuit. Subsequently the element is permanently connected to a carrier.