Abstract: A brake device is disclosed for rail vehicles. In at least one embodiment, the brake device includes an electromagnetic spring pressure brake, the brake force being applied by an elastic force to the part to be braked and a magnetic arrangement being provided for neutralizing the brake force. The magnetic arrangement counteracts the elastic force and consists of a coil arrangement and an armature place that are mobile in relation to each other, the mobile part being connected to the brake element that impinges the part to be braked. The brake device for a rail vehicle according to at least one embodiment of the invention allows a high brake force and short reaction times and is very compact. For this purpose, the mobile part is connected to an axially displaceable plunger which on one end can be impinged upon with the elastic force and which is connected on the other end to the brake element.