An apparatus for loading and unloading plate-like elements for machines for processing materials in plate form, comprising, on one side of a machine for processing materials in plate form, a station for loading the plate to be processed and, on the other side of the machine, a station for unloading the processed plate; at least one pick-up arm is further provided on the supporting beam of the working head of the machine, can perform a translational motion with respect to the beam, and is adapted to cause simultaneously the translational motion of a plate to be processed from the loading station to the working surface of the machine and the translational motion of a processed sheet from the working surface to an unloading station.