The water permeation in protective coatings, which may greatly influence the corrosion protective property of these coatings, was studied using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique. During the absorption of water in protective coatings immersed in electrolyte solution, the change of coating capacitance with concentration of electrolyte was determined from impedance measurements. When water absorption or desorption of coatings occured by exposing the coatings to electrolyte solutions of different concentration, increase in impedance caused by desorption of water was found to be higher in the case of thicker film. The amount of water absorbed in coatings changed with concentration of electrolyte. The water taken up in coatings from the solution of lower electrolyte concentration was deserted by contact with the solution of higher concentration. The uptake of water in protective coatings varied depending on the type of coating ingredient especially binder.