A device for the electrostatic perforation of webs made of paper or other materials, particularly of the webs used in the manufacture of ventilated cigarettes to constitute the cigarette envelope or the junction band of a cigarette with the respective filter, includes two opposite electrode-carrying heads between which the web passes at least one of the heads is provided with a plurality of individual needle-shaped electrodes arranged substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the web. The individual needle-shaped electrodes are mounted so as to be axially slidable in the respective electrode-carrying head and can be pushed toward the opposite by a pushing force and against the action of an opposing force, until their front ends engage a gauged shim placed between the two to establish the right spacing. In addition to this periodical re-setting of the right spacing for the electrodes, the invention also provides an automatic narrowing of the distance between the heads during the operation of the perforating device, in order to compensate for the wear of said electrodes, until a pre-established minimum distance between the heads is reached.