A proportional pressure control valve is described capable of serving as a pilot, servo or direct control valve and having a pressure reducing function and a pressure maintaining function. The valve is comprised essentially of a valve housing (2) with inlet and outlet ports (4, 5, 6), a control element (7), an armature rod (8) and a proportional magnet (3). The proportional magnet (3) is an assembly of a magnet core (10), a magnet armature (11) and a magnet coil (12), whereby the proportional magnet (3) when in its range of operation possesses a nearly constant magnetic strength. In accord with the invention, when in a holding position of the magnetic armature (11) the smallest possible gap (13) exists between the magnet armature (11) and the magnet core (10). This gap is so dimensioned that the magnetic force between the two said components (10, 11) in the holding position is greater than the magnetic force in the operational area of the proportional magnet (3) and that the magnetic armature (11) can be made fixed in position by this said magnetic force.