A tyre changing machine (1), configured to remove a tyre from a respective rim of a vehicle wheel (2), comprises an operating arm (4) which includes: a supporting structure (401); a head (5) movable along a longitudinal axis (402) relative to the supporting structure (401); a removal tool (403) pivoted to the head (5) to rotate relative thereto about an axis of oscillation (405′) transverse to the longitudinal axis (402); a driving member (6) movable along an operating axis (402′) parallel to the longitudinal axis (402) relative to the supporting structure (401) and to the head (5), and articulated to the removal tool (403) at an operating point (P) which is spaced from the axis of oscillation (405′); an actuator (407) comprising a stationary member (407a), connected to the supporting structure (401), and a movable member (407b), adapted to drive the removal tool (403) in rotation and in translation; a coupling member (7) coupled to the supporting structure (401), to the head (5) and to the driving member (6). The movable member (407b) of the actuator (407) is connected to the driving member (6) to directly drive it along the operating axis (402′).