The present invention relates to the perforation of nonwovens with a perforating roll and an opposing roll. The perforating roll and opposing roll form a gap, through which a nonwoven being perforated, is guided and perforated. The perforation apparatus comprises a feed device and a withdrawal device. The feed device is arranged such that the nonwoven being perforated advances first onto the opposing roll, before it enters the gap. The withdrawal device is arranged such that after leaving the gap, the perforated nonwoven remains on the perforating roll. Furthermore, a perforation method and a corresponding nonwoven structure are provided.