The invention concerns a method and a device for withdrawing body fluid inwhicha lancing element (10) is inserted through the skin into a body part (14) in aforwardmovement (54) and the body fluid is taken up by a capillary structure (18) ofthelancing element (10). According to the invention it is proposed that contactof thelancing element (10) with body fluid is detected inside the body part (14)after theforward movement (54) and during a collection phase (62).