An actuating device for a shift element of a transmission which is acted upon by a hydraulic actuating pressure (p_B1) and comprises a valve device. To vary the actuating pressure (p_B1), the valve device is acted upon by a control pressure (p_EDS) in an area of active surfaces (A18, A19) of at least a first and a second valve slides. An active surface (A38) of the first valve slide (A8) is acted upon by a hydraulic pressure (p_B2) which is equivalent to the actuating pressure (p_B1), acts in opposition to the control pressure (p_EDS) and can be adjusted as a function of the control pressure (p_EDS) applied, such that a smaller variation of the actuating pressure (p_B1) results from a change of the control pressure (p_EDS) within a first pressure range of the control pressure (p_EDS) than within a second pressure range of the control pressure (p_EDS).