Hydrogen energy is a kind of secondary energy which is abundant, green and low carbon and widely used. The key to application of hydrogen energy is hydrogen storage. Metal hydrogen storage alloys are by far the best hydrogen storage candidate materials with high hydrogen storage density, high safety and ease of use. In order to improve the activation properties, hydrogen absorption and release properties, corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and anti-impurity gas toxicity properties of hydrogen storage alloys, researchers often modify the surface of hydrogen storage alloys. Surface modification refers to the method of changing the surface structural characteristics of an alloy by physical, chemical or composite methods in order to improve one or several properties of the alloy, such as removing the oxidized layer of the alloy, increasing the active sites, and coating the film layer. There are many kinds of surface modification methods for hydrogen storage alloys, and the improvement degree of properties is different. In this paper, the research results of surface modification of hydrogen storage alloys in recent decades are reviewed, analyzed, summarized and classified. The surface modification methods of hydrogen storage alloys can be roughly divided into two categories:physical surface modification and chemical surface modification. Among them, the physical surface modification methods include vapor deposition technology, laser treatment technology, mechanical alloying technology and severe plastic deformation technology. Chemical surface modification methods include electroless composite plating technology, electroplating technology, anodizing technology and other chemical modification methods (acid treatment, alkali treatment, salt treatment, fluoride treatment, etc.). These surface modification methods are reviewed in detail, and the future development of surface modification methods for hydrogen storage alloys is also prospected.