Abstract: A force-balanced lifting valve for the control of a fluid, comprises a housing having paths for the fluid, an axially movable component in the form of a valve body provided on a shaft mounted so as to be axially movable in the housing, for the opening and closing a valve opening, and a sealing structure for sealing the axially movable component with respect to the housing. The valve body has associated therewith a force-balancing compensation area, which can be acted upon by pressure fluid by way of a subsidiary channel. The sealing structure comprises an elastic, axially effective sealing ring which sealingly engages the valve housing and the axially movable valve component, such that a radial portion of the ring rests axially and sealingly against at least one abutment shoulder on the axially movable valve component.