Abstract: An electromagnetic relay includes at least one permanent magnet provided with pole pieces and a soft magnetic armature the ends of which cooperate with the pole pieces. The pole shoes are electrically insulated from each other and serve as fixed contacts. In the rest position of the armature, contact forces are obtained from the attraction force exerted by the permanent magnet. In order to exploit the total available permanent magnet force as contact force while, at the same time, achieving high responsiveness and resistance to mechanical stresses and shocks, the armature ends or the ends of the pole pieces facing away from the magnet poles are provided with contact springs which cooperate with the respective opposite pole pieces or armature ends to form contact couples so that, when the armature is switched-over, contact is made first through the contact spring or springs and then, upon bending of the actuated contact spring or springs, the respective armature end engages the pole pieces.