A semiconductor device includes an SOI substrate and a transistor device positioned in and above the SOI substrate. The SOI substrate includes a semiconductor bulk substrate, a buried insulation layer above the semiconductor bulk substrate, and a semiconductor layer above the buried insulation layer. The transistor device includes a gate structure having a gate electrode and a first cap layer covering upper and sidewall surfaces of the gate electrode. An oxide liner covers sidewalls of the gate structure and a second cap layer covers the oxide liner. A recess is located adjacent to the gate structure and is at least partially defined by an upper surface of the semiconductor layer, a bottom surface of the second cap layer and at least part of the oxide liner. Raised source/drain regions are positioned above the semiconductor layer and portions of the raised source/drain regions are positioned in the recess.