A semiconductor device includes: a main switching element, a current-sensing switching element and a surge protection element, which are formed on a single semiconductor substrate, wherein the surge protection element is a bidirectional diode connected between a first main electrode of the main switching element and a first main electrode of the current-sensing switching element. Also, a switching circuit includes the semiconductor device and a detection resistor connected to the first main electrode of the current-sensing switching element; and a driving device that drives the semiconductor device based on a voltage drop occurring in the detection resistor when the semiconductor device is turned on.