Analytical system for detecting an analyte in a body fluid comprising - a disposable integrated puncturing and analyzing element including a flat puncturing element having a tip for generating a puncture wound in a body part and including an elongated flat test strip having a top side and a bottom side, and - a reusable analyzing instrument with a housing which includes a holder for holding an integrated puncturing and analyzing element and with a coupling unit for coupling the puncturing element to a drive, said drive being adapted for driving a puncturing movement of the puncturing element during which the puncturing element is moved on a movement path, said puncturing movement including a forward phase in which the puncturing element is moved in a puncturing direction and a retraction phase during which the puncturing element is moved, after having reached a reversal point, opposite to the puncturing direction, wherein the puncturing element is arranged parallel to the test strip and is movable on its movement path relative to the test strip, characterized in that - the holder is adapted for holding the integrated puncturing and analyzing element, in a sample application position of the test strip, in which the top side of the test strip faces upward, - the holder and the drive are adapted and arranged such that, in a puncturing position of the test strip, the tip of the puncturing element is moved beyond the front end of the test strip in the puncturing direction, in order to generate a puncture wound in a body part, - the front end of the test strip in the puncturing direction comprises a skin contact surface which places the skin in tension and serves as a puncturing depth reference element, whereby the puncturing depth is determined by the distance in the puncturing direction between the skin contact surface and the position of the tip of the puncturing element at the reversal point of the puncturing movement, - a test pad and a sample application area are arranged on the top side of the test strip, wherein the sample application area is located on the cover surface of the test pad, - the sample application area is located at the top side of the test strip such that, in the sample application position a drop of sample liquid from the puncture wound can be directly applied manually from above to the sample application area, and - the housing being shaped to allow access to the sample application area of a test strip positioned in the sample application position, and to allow access to the front end of a test strip which is positioned in the puncturing position. - a disposable integrated puncturing and analyzing element including a flat puncturing element having a tip for generating a puncture wound in a body part and including an elongated flat test strip having a top side and a bottom side, and - a reusable analyzing instrument with a housing which includes a holder for holding an integrated puncturing and analyzing element and with a coupling unit for coupling the puncturing element to a drive, said drive being adapted for driving a puncturing movement of the puncturing element during which the puncturing element is moved on a movement path, said puncturing movement including a forward phase in which the puncturing element is moved in a puncturing direction and a retraction phase during which the puncturing element is moved, after having reached a reversal point, opposite to the puncturing direction, wherein the puncturing element is arranged parallel to the test strip and is movable on its movement path relative to the test strip, characterized in that the puncturing element is arranged parallel to the test strip and is movable on its movement path relative to the test strip, characterized in that - the holder is adapted for holding the integrated puncturing and analyzing element, in a sample application position of the test strip, in which the top side of the test strip faces upward, - the holder and the drive are adapted and arranged such that, in a puncturing position of the test strip, the tip of the puncturing element is moved beyond the front end of the test strip in the puncturing direction, in order to generate a puncture wound in a body part, - the front end of the test strip in the puncturing direction comprises a skin contact surface which places the skin in tension and serves as a puncturing depth reference element, whereby the puncturing depth is determined by the distance in the puncturing direction between the skin contact surface and the position of the tip of the puncturing element at the reversal point of the puncturing movement, - a test pad and a sample application area are arranged on the top side of the test strip, wherein the sample application area is located on the cover surface of the test pad, - the sample application area is located at the top side of the test strip such that, in the sample application position a drop of sample liquid from the puncture wound can be directly applied manually from above to the sample application area, and - the housing being shaped to allow access to the sample application area of a test strip positioned in the sample application position, and to allow access to the front end of a test strip which is positioned in the puncturing position.