The invention relates to a method for removing fluoride from a zinc-containing solution or suspension, in particular a zinc sulfate solution, to a defluoridated zinc sulfate solution obtained by sucha method, to the use thereof, and to a method for producing zinc and hydrogen fluoride or hydrofluoric acid. The method for removing fluoride comprises (i) providing a zinc-containing solution or suspension A, wherein the zinc-containing solution or suspension A also contains fluoride ions; (ii) adding a solution B, which contains a dissolved salt of a rare earth element, to the zinc-containing solution or suspension A, wherein a solid material, which comprises a rare earth element fluoride, and a zinc-containing solution C are formed; and (iii) separating off the solid material from the zinc-containing solution C, wherein the zinc-containing solution C has a lower concentration of fluoride ions than the zinc-containing solution or suspension A.