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, - 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, characterized in that - a sample application area is located at the top side of the test strip, - the puncturing element is arranged above the top side of the test strip and covers the sample application area, - the puncturing element comprises a transfer recess and, in the sample application position, the puncturing element is positioned at the top side of the test strip in such a manner that the puncturing element partly covers the sample application area to provide a hygienic function and that the transfer recess is located above the sample application area such that a drop of sample liquid from the puncture wound can be directly applied manually from above to the sample application area, - the housing being shaped to allow access from above 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, - 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, - a sample application area is located at the top side of the test strip, - the puncturing element is arranged above the top side of the test strip and covers the sample application area, - the puncturing element comprises a transfer recess and, in the sample application position, the puncturing element is positioned at the top side of the test strip in such a manner that the puncturing element partly covers the sample application area to provide a hygienic function and that the transfer recess is located above the sample application area such that a drop of sample liquid from the puncture wound can be directly applied manually from above to the sample application area, - the housing being shaped to allow access from above 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.