The present invention concerns a protective element (1 2 3) for a medical needle assembly, the medical needle assembly comprising a housing (4) and a needle (5) having a needle shaft and a needle tip. The protective element (1 2 3) comprises a proximal wall (10 20 30) which is transversely arrangeable on the needle shaft, the proximal wall (10 20 30) comprising a first opening (11 21 31) through which the needle shaft can extend, a protective arm (12 22 32) extending from the proximal wall (10 20 30) in a distal direction, the protective arm (12 22 32) being adapted for covering the needle tip in an activated position, and two proximal side walls (13 23 33) extending from opposing sides of the proximal wall (10 20 30) in the distal direction, the two proximal side walls (13 23 33) being adapted for engaging with a cavity (6) of the housing (4) in a ready position.
