A footrest for wheelchairs or the like comprises a foot plate (37) for the foot of a wheelchair patient, a supporting element for connection of the foot plate (37) to a wheelchair, and a bearing unit for supporting the foot plate (37) on the supporting element. The bearing unit, in turn, comprises a bearing body (36) that is in contact with the foot plate (37) and with the supporting element, a first bearing element (76) that pivotably connects the foot plate (37) to the bearing body (36), and a second bearing element (47) that pivotably connects the bearing body (36) to the supporting element.