The invention relates to an inductive ignition device for sparking plugs in an internal combustion engine, with at least one driving circuit for at least one ignition coil and with at least one sparking plug. Said device is characterised in that one of the high voltage switches (13; 13a to 13n) is associated with at least one sparking plug and is moved into a conductive, connected state by a first driving signal of the driving circuit. The spark current (I2) of at least one sparking plug (3; 3a to 3n) moves through said high voltage switch when it is in a connected state, and said high voltage switch is arranged in such a manner that it remains in a conductive state without further driving until the spark stream falls below a certain value (holding current).