Method of manufacturing a package carrier

A method of manufacturing a package carrier enclosing at least one microelectronic element and having electrically conductive connection pads for electric connection of the package carrier to another device, comprising:

• providing a sacrificial carrier having a carrying surface, and a pattern of electrically conductive connection pads and electrically conductive tracks at the carrying surface, the sacrificial carrier having a covering member having at least one hole that is positioned on the carrying surface and covering at least part of said pattern of pads and tracks;
• bending the sacrificial carrier in order to create a shape of the carrier in which the carrier has at least two portions which are at a different level, such that the hole in the covering member and a top portion of the covering member surrounding the hole are present at a higher level;
• forming a body member by applying material to the sacrificial carrier at the side where the pattern of the electrically conductive conduction pads is present, while leaving the top portion of the covering member free;
• and
• removing at least a portion of the sacrificial carrier to create a recess with at least one electrically conductive connection pad of the pattern for electrically coupling to the at least one microelectronic element, the recess extending to the hole in the covering member.