A method and apparatus for the nickel-plating of components, in which the finished component, which is to be nickel-plated, is heated to a temperature between 150.degree. and 200.degree. C. and is at the same time subjected to a continuously flowing gas stream containing nickeltetracarbonyl (Ni(CO).sub.4) and an entrainment gas. In this procedure nickel is constantly desposited from the gas phase on the heated surface from the gas stream which continuously flows around the finished component and consists of an entrainment gas and nickeltetracarbonyl. The nickel coating produced by this procedure adheres well, given normal pre-cleaning, and is practically seal-tight even in very thin coating thicknesses (0.1-1.mu.).