A system for positioning, a stage system, a lithographic apparatus, a method for positioning and a method for manufacturing a device in which use is made of a stage system that includes a plurality of gas bearing devices. Each gas bearing device includes: a gas bearing body, which has a free surface, a primary channel which extends through the gas bearing body and has an inlet opening in the free surface, a secondary channel system which extends through the gas bearing body and which has a plurality of discharge openings in the free surface. The flow resistance in the secondary channel system is higher than the flow resistance in the primary channel.