Abstract: Planar illumination device comprise light-emitting illumination elements arranged on a carrier, containing an electrically conductive layer and an insulating 5 layer (LEDs). The light-emitting illumination elements are connected to current feed lines in the form of a conductor path. The light-emitting illumination elements are arranged as a succession of identical units on a continuous conductor path, in each case on the electrically insulating layer of the carrier. The current discharge from the light-emitting illumination elements is represented by a conductor discharging the current and by means of a connection to the electrically conductive layer of the carrier. The planar illumination device has any number of units extending in the longitudinal and transverse direction. Cutting zones, along which any units or groups of units can be separated off or separated out, are arranged between the units.