Plug connector having a bridging function

A plug connector, comprising:

• a plug-in side,
• a connection side, and
• a plug-in direction running from the connection side to the plug-in side toward a mating connector or a socket,
• wherein the plug connector includes a contact insert and at least four contact elements, wherein the contact elements are arranged in the contact insert in receiving regions,
• wherein the contact insert has at least two lateral recesses, which each extend from an exterior of the contact insert to at least some of the contact elements that are arranged in the receiving regions of the contact insert,
• wherein the plug connector has at least two bridging elements for the electrical connection of at least two contact elements each,
• wherein each of the bridging elements include an elongate structure with at least two gripping hands extending transversely from the elongate structure, each gripping hand being configured to elastically deform to engage a respective one of the contact elements, and
• wherein the bridging elements are arranged one behind the other as viewed in the plug-in direction, completely received within the lateral recesses of the contact insert, and offset inwardly from the exterior of the contact insert.