An apparatus for separating particles from an air stream, the apparatus having an inlet region for the waste air stream, an outlet region for the waste air stream, a separating device arranged along the waste air stream, and at least one electrode arrangement which is connected to a high voltage source, wherein a charging region having one or more electrodes is provided to form a layer enriched with electrical charges, and wherein a separating region having separating surfaces is provided, which is subordinate to the charging region. The invention also relates to a method for separating particles from the waste air stream of a coating booth, wherein the waste air stream through a charging region in which particles of the waste air stream are charged, and the waste air stream after leaving the charging region flows through a separating region in which charged particles are deposited on separating surfaces.