The present invention relates to an electrolyte and a process for depositing a matt metal layer on a substrate from an electrolyte comprising an emulsion and/or dispersion former or a wetting agent. According to the invention, many metals having differing degrees of mattness can be produced by emulsion and/or dispersion formation in the electrolyte by means of addition of polyalkylene oxides or derivatives thereof, wetting agents having fluorinated or perfluorinated hydrophobic chains or quaternary ammonium compounds substituted by polyalkylene oxide. Furthermore, polytetrafluoroethylene particles can be added to the electrolyte in order to alter the surface properties of the matt layers deposited.