Gas diffusion layer for an electrolyser or for a fuel cell; comprising - a first nonwoven layer of metal fibers provided for contacting a proton exchange membrane, wherein the first nonwoven layer of metal fibers comprises metal fibers of a first equivalent diameter, the first equivalent diameter is less than 35 μm; - a second nonwoven layer of metal fibers, wherein the second nonwoven layer of metal fibers comprises metal fibers of a second equivalent diameter; wherein the second equivalent diameter is larger than the first equivalent diameter; and - a third porous metal layer; wherein the third porous metal layer comprises open pores; wherein the open pores of the third porous metal layer are larger than the open pores of the second nonwoven layer of metal fibers; wherein the second nonwoven layer is provided in between and contacting the first nonwoven layer and the third porous metal layer; wherein the second nonwoven layer is metallurgically bonded to the first nonwoven layer and to the third porous metal layer; wherein the thickness of the first nonwoven layer is less than 0.15 mm; wherein the thickness of the second nonwoven layer is at least double the thickness of the first nonwoven layer; wherein the thickness of the third porous metal layer is at least two times - and preferably at least three times - the thickness of the first nonwoven layer. - a first nonwoven layer of metal fibers provided for contacting a proton exchange membrane, wherein the first nonwoven layer of metal fibers comprises metal fibers of a first equivalent diameter, the first equivalent diameter is less than 35 μm; - a second nonwoven layer of metal fibers, wherein the second nonwoven layer of metal fibers comprises metal fibers of a second equivalent diameter; wherein the second equivalent diameter is larger than the first equivalent diameter; and - a third porous metal layer; wherein the third porous metal layer comprises open pores; wherein the open pores of the third porous metal layer are larger than the open pores of the second nonwoven layer of metal fibers; wherein the second nonwoven layer is provided in between and contacting the first nonwoven layer and the third porous metal layer; wherein the second nonwoven layer is metallurgically bonded to the first nonwoven layer and to the third porous metal layer; wherein the thickness of the first nonwoven layer is less than 0.15 mm; wherein the thickness of the second nonwoven layer is at least double the thickness of the first nonwoven layer; wherein the thickness of the third porous metal layer is at least two times - and preferably at least three times - the thickness of the first nonwoven layer. wherein the second nonwoven layer is provided in between and contacting the first nonwoven layer and the third porous metal layer; wherein the second nonwoven layer is metallurgically bonded to the first nonwoven layer and to the third porous metal layer; wherein the thickness of the first nonwoven layer is less than 0.15 mm; wherein the thickness of the second nonwoven layer is at least double the thickness of the first nonwoven layer; wherein the thickness of the third porous metal layer is at least two times - and preferably at least three times - the thickness of the first nonwoven layer. <EOS>