Bone anchoring device including a bone anchoring element (1) having a shaft (2) for anchoring in the bone and a head (3) a receiving part (5) for coupling a rod (6) to the bone anchoring element, wherein the receiving part comprises a rod receiving portion (9) with a first end (9a) and a second end (9b) and a channel (12) with a bottom for receiving the rod, and a head receiving portion (16) at the side of the second end (9b) for accommodating the head (3), the head receiving portion having a free end (17) and being flexible so as to allow introduction and clamping of the head a locking ring (8) embracing the head receiving portion (16) wherein the head (3) is locked by compressing the head receiving portion (16) with the locking ring wherein the rod receiving portion (9) comprises two cutouts (24) which extend on either end of the channel from the bottom to the second end (9b) and wherein the locking ring has two projections (81, 83) located diametrically opposite to each other which extend through the cutouts 24 into the channel (12) when the locking ring is in a position in which the head is not locked characterized in that a first engagement portion (83, 85) is provided at the locking ring that engages a second engagement portion (25) at the inner wall of the channel to hold the locking ring in a position in which the head is pivotable in the head receiving portion and is prevented from removal therefrom.
