A systematic method for approximating the complex‐order Laplacian operator by realizable integer‐order transfer functions is presented in this work. The realization is performed by a simple structure where only one active element is used. Thanks to the employment of complex‐order impedances, both integrators and differentiators can be readily implemented by the same core simply by interchanging the associated impedance locations. The validity of the presented concept is verified through simulation and experimental results, using the OrCAD PSpice suite and a Field Programmable Analog array device.