the invention relates to a pricking device for taking a blood sample , comprising a movable holding device for pricking means , a linear guide element for guiding the movable holding device , means for driving the movable holding device and a release device for releasing the pricking movement of the pricking means . when the release device has been manually actuated , the movable holding device can be moved in a translatory manner by the drive means . said drive means comprise a curved path in which the movable holding means is directly engaged , enabling the pricking device to have a particularly simple structure .