A hydraulic cartridge valve includes a sleeve with a longitudinal bore that forms a working port via an end opening. A plunger is accommodated for linear motion in the longitudinal bore. The sleeve is penetrated in an inlet port region by a first radial bore that extends radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the hydraulic cartridge valve. The sleeve is penetrated in a return port region by a second radial bore that extends radially with respect to the longitudinal axis. A first fluid flow path extends from the inlet port to the working port and a second fluid flow path extends from the working port to the return port. The plunger has third and fourth radial bores that extend radially with respect to the longitudinal axis and form part of the first and second fluid flow paths, respectively.