Polyelectrolyte‐assisted ultrafiltration (PAUF) was investigated for the removal of samarium (III) from aqueous solutions by using poly(sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSS) as a complexing agent. The ultrafiltration studies were carried out using a tangential cell system, equipped with a polyethersulfone membrane. Factors affecting the samarium ions retention, such as applied pressure, polyelectrolyte concentration, pH, and ionic strength, were investigated. After optimization, the best operating conditions can be obtained in order to achieve high levels of recovery. Experimental results indicate that the retention of samarium ions increases respectively with applied pressure and polyelectrolyte concentration. A maximum retention was obtained at 2 × 10−4 mol L−1 PSS concentration and 3 bars transmembrane pressure. Samarium retention by PSS assisted ultrafiltration was influenced by the pH varying from 5 to 9. The study of the ionic strength effect has shown a retention decrease with the salt concentration increase. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 1091–1097, 2016