Electrochemical synthesis of ceria films was performed on a stainless steel substrate in view of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) applications. Films were obtained from aqueous nitrate solutions via cathodic deposition method at room temperature. A constant potential value of –0.8 V/(SCE) was applied to reduce the molecular oxygen as hydroxide precursor, leading to a formation of adherent, homogeneous and covering films in 20 min deposition time. Structure, morphology and composition of as-grown coatings were studied by X-ray diffraction, Raman and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, as well as scanning electron microscopy. Cubic fluorite-type nanostructured ceria of leaf-like particles was synthesized. Thermal annealing (600°C, 1 h) was found to enhance ceria crystallinity.