Abstract: In order to improve a semi-hermetic refrigerant compressor, comprising a compressor unit and an electric motor, an overall housing which has a motor housing portion for the electric motor and a compressor housing portion for the compressor unit, a suction-side refrigerant path extending from a suction port on the overall housing to the compressor unit, and a pressure-side refrigerant path extending to a pressure port of the compressor unit, such that problems with particles carried along by the refrigerant from the refrigerant circuit are prevented, an inlet for refrigerant to be fed to a motor compartment in the motor housing portion is arranged on the motor housing portion in a region situated opposite the compressor housing portion, and is provided and the inlet is provided with a cover which has an entry guide element and a filter element for separating out particles carried along by means of the refrigerant.