Abstract <p>In this work, the effect of exogenous histidine supply on nickel (Ni) transport across the tonoplast, as well as its uptake and translocation were assessed in the non-hyperaccumulating species, <i>Arabidopsis thaliana</i> (L.) Heynh. Four-week-old <i>A. thaliana</i> plants, grown on half-strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution, were treated with 1, 3, 10, 30, or 60 µM NiCl₂ without or with addition of 2, 6, 20, 60, or 120 µM L-histidine, correspondingly, for 5 or 15 days. The plants grown without Ni or histidine, as well as in the presence of 2–120 µM L-histidine served as control. Root and shoot fresh and dry weights and water contents in them were determined. The effect of histidine on Ni uptake by MgATP-energized root- and shoot-derived tonoplast vesicles was analyzed. The Ni contents in roots, shoots and vesicles were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The Ni translocation factor was calculated as shoot-to-root Ni concentration ratio. The ‘total Ni amount’ present in the roots and shoots together (‘total uptake’), at the end of the experiment, was calculated as the sum of the total amount of Ni present in the roots and shoots, and expressed on a plant dry weight basis. Nickel distribution over the root and shoot tissues was examined histochemically using dimethylglyoxime solution. Exogenous treatment with histidine did not affect plant biomass production, water contents in roots and shoots, as well as Ni translocation, and barely decreased Ni uptake by plants. Nickel uptake by MgATP-energized root-derived tonoplast vesicles did not change when Ni was supplied as Ni-histidine complex (1 : 2), but it decreased in shoot-derived tonoplast vesicles. It is concluded that at non-toxic Ni concentrations, complexation with histidine may restrict Ni transport into the vacuoles of shoot cells, but it does not affect Ni uptake or transport in roots as well as root-to-shoot translocation in <i>A. thaliana</i>.</p>