Leakage protection unit for a microfluidic device, wherein the leakage protection unit has the following features: a cover element; a base element, in which at least one base recess is formed as a fluid container, wherein the base recess is arranged so as to be situated opposite the cover element; a film, which is arranged between the cover element and the base element and which closes off the fluid container in a fluidtight manner; at least one pressure channel for application of a pneumatic pressure for deflecting and exerting pressure on the film, which pneumatic pressure is periodically switched between a positive pressure and a negative pressure, wherein the pressure channel is formed in the base element and/or the cover element; and at least one resistance channel, which is formed between the cover element and the base element so as to fluidically couple the pressure channel and the film, wherein the resistance channel provides a fluidic resistance for a fluid situated in the resistance channel; characterized in that the film has the resistance channel, and at least one cover recess is formed as a component of the resistance channel in the cover element so as to increase a volume of the resistance channel, wherein a volume of the cover recess amounts to 1 μl to 10 ml and is configured such that, in the event of the film tearing, a liquid front, within the intake phase, does not advance as far as the pressure channel, and wherein the film, in the region of the cover recess, and/or the cover recess have/has resistance elements for forming a structure functioning as a capillary stop, and/or have/has a hydrophobic layer, so as to increase the fluidic resistance, wherein the fluidic resistance acts as a throttle for gases. a cover element; a base element, in which at least one base recess is formed as a fluid container, wherein the base recess is arranged so as to be situated opposite the cover element; a film, which is arranged between the cover element and the base element and which closes off the fluid container in a fluidtight manner; at least one pressure channel for application of a pneumatic pressure for deflecting and exerting pressure on the film, which pneumatic pressure is periodically switched between a positive pressure and a negative pressure, wherein the pressure channel is formed in the base element and/or the cover element; and at least one resistance channel, which is formed between the cover element and the base element so as to fluidically couple the pressure channel and the film, wherein the resistance channel provides a fluidic resistance for a fluid situated in the resistance channel; characterized in that the film has the resistance channel, and at least one cover recess is formed as a component of the resistance channel in the cover element so as to increase a volume of the resistance channel, wherein a volume of the cover recess amounts to 1 μl to 10 ml and is configured such that, in the event of the film tearing, a liquid front, within the intake phase, does not advance as far as the pressure channel, and wherein the film, in the region of the cover recess, and/or the cover recess have/has resistance elements for forming a structure functioning as a capillary stop, and/or have/has a hydrophobic layer, so as to increase the fluidic resistance, wherein the fluidic resistance acts as a throttle for gases.