A linear motor for optical systems, for example, endoscopes, is described. The motor has a stator with a magnetic guiding member and two adjacently disposed coils which are energized in opposite directions. Furthermore permanent magnets polarized in opposite directions and in the axial direction are provided on both sides of the pair of coils. The armature of the motor has a permanent magnet which is polarized in the opposite direction to the permanent magnet of the stator and is connected to a pole piece at each end. The pole pieces are arranged so that in the rest position each pole piece lies at the centre of one of the coils. By applying current to the coil, the armature can be displaced from a rest position in the longitudinal direction.