An electromagnetic actuator is provided in which a mobile member is designed to slide inside a ferromagnetic frame along a displacement axis X-X between two end positions, when exposed to a magnetic flux circulating in said frame. The frame forms a magnetic circuit that extends in a single loop interrupted by two air gaps, each placed on the displacement axis of the mobile member. At the air gaps the flux generates two transverse magnetic fields in opposite directions. The mobile member includes a permanent magnet, polarized in a pre-determined direction and having an axial dimension such that in each end position, one end of the magnet extends into one of the air gaps and the opposite end of the magnet extends into the other air gap.