The invention relates to a valve cartridge for a solenoid valve, having a capsule, a valve insert that is inserted by a first end into the capsule and on its other end receives a valve body with a main valve seat. A lower valve part is axially braced on the valve insert, and a flat filter for filtering out dirt particles is connected via a retaining element to the lower valve part. According to the invention, the retaining element includes at least one component on the flat filter side and at least one corresponding component on the lower valve part side, which makes at least one partial clamping connection between the flat filter and the lower valve part. The invention further relates to a solenoid valve having such a valve cartridge.