In the case of known electromagnetic actuators each with at least one electromagnet acting on an armature, operational fluctuations of system parameters can lead to incorrect functioning, in particular to increased wear of the actuator, undesired noise generation, and excessive power consumption. In the new method, which is preferably used for operating gas change valves in internal combustion engines, the impact velocity of the armature on the electromagnet is automatically adjusted to a preset value. For this purpose, a controlled variable that depends on a change of inductance of the electromagnet is created as a measure of the impact velocity of the armature on The electromagnet and the controlled variable is adjusted by controlling the energy supply To the electromagnet to provide a setpoint value that the controlled variable adopts at a preset value of the impact velocity of the armature on the electromagnet. This permits reliable continuous duty with the new method.