A temperature-dependent switch has a temperature-dependent switching mechanism arranged in a housing having an upper part and a lower part. A first contact area is arranged on an inner side of the upper part and a second contact area is arranged internally in the lower part, the switching mechanism producing, in temperature-dependent fashion, an electrically conductive connection between the first and second contact areas. The switching mechanism comprises a current transfer element, a bimetallic snap-action disc and a movable contact area. The moveable contact area is connected to the current transfer element and interacts with the first contact area, the bimetallic snap-action disc lifting off the movable contact area from the first contact area depending on the temperature of the bimetallic snap-action disc. A resistance ring is arranged between the upper part and the lower part and is electrically in series with the current transfer element between the first and second contact areas when the switch is in its closed state.