An electromechanical valve actuator for internal combustion engines is equipped with a polarized electromagnet exerting a magnetic action on a magnetic plate that is subject to a mechanical restoring action, which action can compensate for the mechanical action and maintain the plate in a distant position from the electromagnet. The actuator ensures that the displacements of the plate are controlled solely by this electromagnet and the mechanical restoring action such that the plate performs shuttle movements beginning from the distant position.