An overview about the opportunities to apply PVD coatings with different morphologies on implants will be given. Using magnetron sputtering technology single and multiple layers of metals, alloys, composites and ceramics can be deposited. These coatings can improve biocompatibility or wear resistance and serve as an electrical insulation or diffusion barrier. This presentation will focus on coatings to enhance cardiac and neurological stimulation. Various metallic and ceramic coatings have been sputtered and the influence of material, thickness and surface morphology on their impedance characteristics has been investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. An increase in electrochemical capacitance that yields an impedance enhancement is best achieved by morphological changes resulting from process parameters or thickness. Due to the limited charging process velocity at the electrode surface the capacitance experiences a frequency and material dependent saturation. Knowing the kinetics of these exchange reactions at the electrode-tissue interface and the physical and chemical coating properties permits coatings to be applied with tailored characteristics for electrotherapy.