A protective device for a universal shaft (3) has an attachment element (6), a tubular guard (7) and at least one latching device (24, 25). The attachment element (6) is positioned around a shaft journal (2) projecting from a housing (1). The tubular protective guard (7) extends along a longitudinal axis L and is positioned around a universal shaft (3) connected to the shaft journal (2). The at least one latching device (24, 25) attaches the protective guard (7) on the attachment element (6). The protective guard (7) has at least one joining lines (9, 10) extending in the longitudinal direction L. The protective guard (7) can be separated and opened to receive the universal shaft (3).
