The disclosure relates to an electromagnetic actuator, such as for a medium-voltage switch, having a core having a coil applied to it, and a movable yoke. A method for producing such an actuator is also disclosed. A compact design can be achieved with, at the same time, a high level of actuator force, using a magnetic circuit of the actuator which has a rectangular magnet core and a round yoke which corresponds to the magnetic circuit of the magnetic core.