The invention relates to a membrane vacuum pump comprising an electrically operated drive unit and a vacuum membrane (94"), which separates a pump chamber (96") into a drive-side part and a non-drive-side part and which can be deflected by means of a movable part (92") of the drive unit. The drive unit is an electromagnetic drive unit, and the vacuum membrane (94") is deflected in the direction of a linear motion produced electromagnetically in the drive unit. A venting valve (903) is preferably also actuated by means of said movable part (92"). Said vacuum pump is relatively small and compact and operates with little noise. Said vacuum pump is suited in particular for hands-free applications of breast pumps.
