An intervertebral implant is provided comprising a single piece hollow body with an upper wall (1) configured to engage a first vertebral end plate and a lower wall (2) configured to engage a second vertebral end plate, with two opposite sidewalls (3, 4) connecting the upper wall and the lower wall, respectively, and with a load transmitting part configured to transmit load between the upper wall and the lower wall; wherein the body is configured to assume a compressed condition in which a distance between the upper wall (1) and the lower wall (2) defines a first height (h 1 ) of the implant and an expanded condition in which the distance between the upper wall (1) and the lower wall (2) defines a second height (h 2 ) of the implant that is greater than the first height (h 1 ); and wherein the implant is made of a material that exhibits shape memory properties.