A connecting element (1) for connecting at least two end portions (2A, 3A) of a flat filter medium (2, 3) has at least three legs (1A, 1B, 1C), one end portion (2A, 2B) each being introducible between two legs (1A, 1B, 1C). Under the influence of heat it is possible to connect the material of the legs with the material of the filter medium (2). The connecting element (1) can be used in a filter element (4) and in particular in a filtering device (5), for example an operating fluid filter for a motor vehicle. The object of a method for connecting at least two end portions (2A, 3A) of a flat filter medium (2, 3) is that the end portions (2A, 3A) are introduced between two legs (1A, 1B, 1C) each of a corresponding connecting element (1) and that through heating the material of the legs is connected with the material of the filter medium (1).