Open-pore biocompatible surface layer for application to a rough surface of an implant comprises a coherent pore network and has a surface area (edge length per unit area) of at least 0.06 mu /mu 2>;. Independent claims are also included for: (a) producing an open-pore biocompatible surface layer for an implant by coating titanium particles with a eutectic-forming sintering aid and depositing the particles on a rough surface of an implant by vacuum plasma spraying; (b) implant with a surface layer as above.