This review presents recent developments in the design of transfer systems between electrochemical environments and ultra high vacuum (UHV). The parallel growth of traditional surface science under UHV and electrochemistry led progressively these last thirty years to a new interdisciplinary field—`surface science and electrochemistry'. The complementary information given by many analytical techniques from both sciences opened new perspectives in the understanding of molecular phenomena that occur at the surface of an electrode in contact with a solution. Various transfer systems have been developed and this review will focus on them. Theoretical aspects, as well as practical problems, of a correct transfer are approached. The technical solutions of different research groups are demonstrated.Typical applications are shown as examples, and a problem–solution chart is proposed.