The invention relates to a method for recycling polymer membranes comprising metal-containing catalyst material. The method comprises the following steps adding water without adding organic solvents to a polymer membrane comprising a metal-containing catalyst material to form a polymer membrane/water mixture, simultaneously increasing the pressure and the temperature of the polymer membrane/water mixture to a pressure between 20 bar and 40 bar and a temperature between 200 C. and 250 C., a liquid phase and a solid phase being formed, and separating the liquid phase and the solid phase.