A locking device for a vehicle seat, includes a pawl for locking a mating element, which pawl is pivotally supported about a first axis, and a tensioning eccentric that is pivotally supported about a second axis, which is parallel to the first axis, between a locking position and an unlocking position and ensures a locked state of the pawl owing to the interaction with a first functional surface of the pawl, the tensioning eccentric acting upon the first functional surface by a tensioning surface when spring-loaded and locked, an unlocking element being pivotable about the first axis counter to a spring force from a locking position to an unlocking position by an actuation device and the tensioning eccentric being pivotally engaged by the unlocking element from its locking position towards its unlocking position.