A membrane (14) for extracting hydrogen from fluid streams containing hydrogen consists essentially of a first layer (16) of a refractory metal or alloy which is permeable to hydrogen and has first and second surfaces (18, 20). A second layer (22) is electroless or electrolytically deposited over the first surface (18) and attached thereto. A third layer (24) is similarly deposited over the other refractory surface (20), the second and third layers (22, 24) consisting essentially of palladium, palladium alloys or platinum. A modification of this, for use in some applications, is the above membrane coated on only one surface with palladium, palladium alloys or platinum.