A lifting device for scissor lifts, in particular for raising motor vehicles, which during the starting phase of the lifting movement requires a reduced force for raising. The lifting device for scissor lifts includes at least two scissor arms which cross one another, a linear actuator for raising a scissor arm, a double lever joint which is pivotably mounted on a scissor arm; wherein the double lever joint couples the lifting movement of the linear actuator to at least one scissor arm.