Lighting device and method for producing a lighting device

The invention relates to a lighting device () with a flat light guide () which has a protective layer () directly connected to a light guide core () on its light exit side () at least in a visible area (), into which light () from at least one light source () can be coupled via the light guide core () via at least one coupling-in side (), and which has a coupling-out structure () on its rear side () opposite the light exit side (), which structure is set up to deflect light (), as a result of which the deflected light () can be coupled into the light guide core () via at least one coupling-in side (). () emerges from the light guide () into the environment via the light exit side (), and with a housing () which covers the rear side () at least in overlap with the entire visible area () of the light guide () on a side facing away from the light exit side () and is connected to the light guide () in a dust-proof and contamination-proof manner.