Backflow filter for filtering drinking or use water, which is adapted to be switched between an operating position where water flows from an inlet through the filter to an outlet and a backflow position for backflushing where water flows from the inlet in the opposite direction through the filter to a drain, comprising: (a) a connection fitting with an inlet and an outlet; (b) a filter cup with a closable drain; (c) a filter element which is axially moveably guided between an upper and a lower stop, with an upper filter section and a lower filter section, which is accommodated in the filter cup in such a way, that an outer annular space adapted to be connected to the inlet is formed between the lower filter section and the filter cup; (d) an annular projection on the outside of the filter element between the upper filter section and the lower filter section for separating the outer annular space from the range outside the upper filter section, wherein the annular projection cooperates with a shoulder on the inside of the filter cup in such a way that (i) the connection between the inlet and the outer annular space is open in an upper position of the filter element and blocked in a lower position of the filter element; (ii) the connection between the inlet and the range outside the upper filter section is blocked in the upper position of the filter element and open in the lower position of the filter element; and (iii) the connection between the inlet to the outer annular space is open in an intermediate position of the filter element while the connection from the inlet to the range outside the upper filter section is blocked; (e) one or more passages (60, 62) for connecting the range outside around the upper filter section to the range below the lower filter section; (f) a bottom portion biased by the force of a spring for closing the filter element at the lower end with openings (110; 112) for connecting the inside of the filter element to the drain connected to the bottom space of the filter cup; and (g) a lifting element (100,102, 108) biased by the force of a spring axially moveably guided in the bottom portion, the lifting element closing the passages in a first end position and the openings in the bottom portion in a second end position, wherein the spring power exerted on the bottom portion is larger than the spring power exerted on the lifting element. (a) a connection fitting with an inlet and an outlet; (b) a filter cup with a closable drain; (c) a filter element which is axially moveably guided between an upper and a lower stop, with an upper filter section and a lower filter section, which is accommodated in the filter cup in such a way, that an outer annular space adapted to be connected to the inlet is formed between the lower filter section and the filter cup; (d) an annular projection on the outside of the filter element between the upper filter section and the lower filter section for separating the outer annular space from the range outside the upper filter section, wherein the annular projection cooperates with a shoulder on the inside of the filter cup in such a way that (i) the connection between the inlet and the outer annular space is open in an upper position of the filter element and blocked in a lower position of the filter element; (ii) the connection between the inlet and the range outside the upper filter section is blocked in the upper position of the filter element and open in the lower position of the filter element; and (iii) the connection between the inlet to the outer annular space is open in an intermediate position of the filter element while the connection from the inlet to the range outside the upper filter section is blocked; (i) the connection between the inlet and the outer annular space is open in an upper position of the filter element and blocked in a lower position of the filter element; (ii) the connection between the inlet and the range outside the upper filter section is blocked in the upper position of the filter element and open in the lower position of the filter element; and (iii) the connection between the inlet to the outer annular space is open in an intermediate position of the filter element while the connection from the inlet to the range outside the upper filter section is blocked; (e) one or more passages (60, 62) for connecting the range outside around the upper filter section to the range below the lower filter section; (f) a bottom portion biased by the force of a spring for closing the filter element at the lower end with openings (110; 112) for connecting the inside of the filter element to the drain connected to the bottom space of the filter cup; and (g) a lifting element (100,102, 108) biased by the force of a spring axially moveably guided in the bottom portion, the lifting element closing the passages in a first end position and the openings in the bottom portion in a second end position, wherein the spring power exerted on the bottom portion is larger than the spring power exerted on the lifting element.