Double-cylinder circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like. The machine comprises a lower needle cylinder having a substantially vertical axis and an upper needle cylinder that is arranged above and coaxially with respect to the lower needle cylinder. A plurality of axial grooves is formed in the skirt of the needle cylinders and each groove accommodates a double-beak needle that can move axially along the corresponding groove. In each one of the grooves there is a lower pusher, which is arranged below the needle and faces the lower head of the needle with its upper end, and an upper pusher, which is arranged above the needle and faces the upper head of the needle with its lower end. Cams are provided for the actuation of the lower pushers and of the upper pushers to make them slide upwards or downwards in their respective grooves to push up or down the interposed needles located in the lower or in the upper needle cylinder or to transfer the needles from the lower to the upper needle cylinder or vice versa.