A microperfusion needle or fistula needle with a protective element comprises a first component (1a) comprising a cannula (5), a body (2) rigidly joined to the cannula (5), and having grasping wings (3) extending therefrom, a second component (1b) comprising an elongate body (8) having a cavity for slidably receiving the first component (1a) between an operating position of the cannula (5) and a safety position of the cannula (5), the elongate body (8) having lateral slots (9) for the grasping wings (3) to extend therethrough, the grasping wings (3) being suitable for elastically bending around and contacting opposed portions of the elongate body (8). The elongate body (8) comprises two arrays of projections (14), which are contacted by the wings (3) when bent. Opposed pairs of projections (14) are designed to contact and mechanically interfere with the grasping wings (3) when bent.