The invention relates to an on-load tap changer (1) for controlling voltage, comprising semiconductor switching elements (61, 62, 71, 72), and to a method for controlling voltage for a variable transformer (2). The on-load tap changer (1) has a first load branch (6) and a second load branch (7) arranged parallel thereto. A partial winding (8) is arranged between the first and second load branches (6, 7). In the first load branch (6), a first semiconductor switching element (61) is provided upstream of the partial winding (8) and a second semiconductor switching element (62) is provided downstream of the partial winding (8). In the second load branch (7), a first semiconductor switching element (71) is provided upstream of the partial winding (8) and a second semiconductor switching element (72) is provided downstream of the partial winding (8). The on-load tap changer (1) consists of at least one switching module (5), which comprises the first load branch (6) and the second load branch (7) of the on-load tap changer.