The invention relates to an actuator (1) comprising a housing (8), a coil (29) and an armature (2) which interacts with a tappet (30) and a spring, the armature plate (3) thereof being arranged to lie opposite an armature counterpiece (16), and said actuator (1) comprising at least one magnetostrictively-active component. According to the invention, an actuator (1) is provided with which large actuating paths can be travelled at high actuating forces. This is achieved by the actuator (1) additionally being designed to act as a solenoid.