A coupling device for coupling a rod to a bone anchoring element, the coupling device including a receiving part (5, 5', 5") comprising a first end and a second end , an accommodation space (51b, 51c; 51b', 51c'; 51b", 51c") at or close to the second end for pivotably holding a head of the bone anchoring element therein, and a recess (54, 54', 54") for receiving the rod , a central axis (C) extending through the first end and the second end around which the head is configured to pivot in the accommodation space (51b, 51c; 51b', 51c'; 51b", 51c"), the central axis (C) defining an axial direction and wherein the recess for receiving the rod defines a rod channel axis (L); a pressure member (6, 6', 6") positionable in the receiving part such that the pressure member extends at least partially into the accommodation space for exerting pressure onto an inserted head; and a locking member (7, 7', 7") movable relative to the receiving part (5, 5', 5") in the axial direction between a first position in which the head is insertable into the accommodation space (51b, 51c; 51b', 51c'; 51b", 51c") and a second position in which the head is at least temporarily locked in the accommodation space (51b, 51c; 51b', 51c'; 51b", 51c") by the locking member (7, 7', 7"); wherein the locking member (7, 7', 7") is configured to exert pressure onto the head from one side in a direction different from the axial direction and wherein the pressure member (6, 6', 6") comprises a recess (69, 68b", 69") and wherein the locking member (7, 7', 7") is configured to act onto an inserted head through the recess (69, 68b", 69") of the pressure member (6, 6', 6"). a receiving part (5, 5', 5") comprising a first end and a second end , an accommodation space (51b, 51c; 51b', 51c'; 51b", 51c") at or close to the second end for pivotably holding a head of the bone anchoring element therein, and a recess (54, 54', 54") for receiving the rod , a central axis (C) extending through the first end and the second end around which the head is configured to pivot in the accommodation space (51b, 51c; 51b', 51c'; 51b", 51c"), the central axis (C) defining an axial direction and wherein the recess for receiving the rod defines a rod channel axis (L); a pressure member (6, 6', 6") positionable in the receiving part such that the pressure member extends at least partially into the accommodation space for exerting pressure onto an inserted head; and a locking member (7, 7', 7") movable relative to the receiving part (5, 5', 5") in the axial direction between a first position in which the head is insertable into the accommodation space (51b, 51c; 51b', 51c'; 51b", 51c") and a second position in which the head is at least temporarily locked in the accommodation space (51b, 51c; 51b', 51c'; 51b", 51c") by the locking member (7, 7', 7"); wherein the locking member (7, 7', 7") is configured to exert pressure onto the head from one side in a direction different from the axial direction and wherein the pressure member (6, 6', 6") comprises a recess (69, 68b", 69") and wherein the locking member (7, 7', 7") is configured to act onto an inserted head through the recess (69, 68b", 69") of the pressure member (6, 6', 6"). <EOS>