A catheter assembly is disclosed, comprising a catheter (1), such as a urinary catheter, which at least a partly is provided with a hydrophilic coating (14). The catheter assembly further comprises a wetting fluid. The receptacle (2) is in direct contact with the hydrophilic coating of the catheter over essentially the entire length of the part of the catheter being provided with the hydrophilic coating. This may e.g. be achieved by using a shrink wrap material. In order to accomplish adequate wetting, channels (15, 151, 22, 221 ) or the like may be provided on the inner surface of the receptacle or the outer surface of the catheter.