The invention relates to a method for depositing a
zinc-
nickel alloy on a substrate, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing the substrate, (b) providing an aqueous
zinc-
nickel deposition bath as catholyte in a deposition compartment, wherein - the deposition compartment comprises at least one
anode with an anolyte, and - the anolyte is separated from the catholyte by at least one membrane, and the catholyte comprises (i)
nickel ions, (ii) at least one nickel
ion complexing agent, and (iii)
zinc ions, (c) contacting the substrate with the catholyte in the deposition compartment, such that the zinc-
nickel alloy is electrolytically deposited onto the substrate and a zinc-nickel coated substrate is obtained thereby, wherein the concentration of the
nickel ions in the catholyte is lower after step (c) than before step (c), (d) rinsing the zinc-nickel coated substrate in a rinsing compartment comprising water, such that a rinsed zinc-nickel coated substrate and a rinsing water are obtained, wherein the rinsing water comprises a part of the at least one nickel
ion complexing agent and a part of the
nickel ions, characterized in that (i) at least a part of the rinsing water and / or at least a part of the catholyte is treated in a first treatment compartment, such that water is separated from the at least one nickel
ion complexing agent and the
nickel ions, (ii) at least a part of the at least one complexing agent that is separated from the water is returned into the catholyte, and (iii) a source of nickel ions is added to the catholyte, with the proviso that the source of nickel ions does not comprise the at least one nickel ion complexing agent or any other nickel ion complexing agent.