Abstract: A linear motor having a stator and an armature. The stator includes coils and a coil carrier. The armature includes permanent magnets. The coils impart a magnetic force to move the armature in a longitudinal direction relative to the stator within a movement path. The coils are held within a first longitudinal portion of the coil carrier. In a second longitudinal portion, the coil carrier is formed as or connected to a magnetic component having magnetic permeability at least 10 times greater than magnetic permeability in the first longitudinal portion. In certain positions of the armature on the movement path there is only a partial overlap between the magnetic component part and a longitudinal portion, which bears the permanent magnets, of the armature, resulting in a reluctance force that pulls the armature toward a rest position and/or compensates a force on the armature that counteracts the reluctance force.