Abstract: In a grate bar element for a sliding grate furnace for garbage incineration, where the individual grate bar elements are formed for imbricate arrangement and have at their ends openings for the escape of combustion air, the layout is such that each grate bar element (1) has, for multiple circulation of the material (3) to be incinerated, at least two skid surfaces (9, 10) arranged one above the other in cascade fashion, which are limited at their end by steplike lugs (22, 22a). The air outlet openings are provided in each lug (22, 22a) of the grate bar element (1) and are designed as air outlet slots (5, 6) for the horizontal or parallel supply of combustion air to the contiguous next skid surface (9, 10) which slots extend over largely the total width of the grate bar element (1). Each grate bar element (1) is subdivided vertically by an inner longitudinal center web, at whcih air passages (23, 24) are formed on both sides for the supply of the combustion air to the air outlet slots (5, 6).