The electromagnetic contactor enables a reliable return to a pole open position without increasing the spring force of a return spring. In an electromagnetic contactor, an electromagnetic device having an exciting coil and a contact mechanism having a return spring are disposed in parallel, and the electromagnetic device and contact mechanism are linked by a drive lever. The electromagnetic device has a polarized electromagnet having a magnetic circuit that includes a permanent magnet generating a suction force that moves the contact mechanism to a pole open position side when the exciting coil is not energized. The drive lever is fixed to either one of the electromagnetic device or contact mechanism and contacts with the other with no gap at least when the contact mechanism is moved to the pole open position side. The return force of the contact mechanism is covered by the suction force of the permanent magnet.