Rare earth-based materials can play different roles in fuel cell systems. These compounds can be used as catalysts, co-catalysts and electrolytes additives in different types of fuels cells. In particular, a promising acid direct methanol fuel cell can be obtained using rare earth-based materials as both anode and cathode co-catalysts and proton exchange membrane additive. In this work an overview of the use of rare earth-based materials in low-temperature fuel cells is presented. Copyright (C) 2011, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.