Hydrogen refueling stations (HRSs) are key infrastructures rapidly spreading out to support the deployment of fuel cell electric vehicles for several mobility purposes. The research interest in these energy systems is increasing, focusing on different research branches: research on innovation on equipment and technology, proposal and development of station layout, and research aiming to provide experimental data sets for performance investigation. The present manuscript aims to present an overview of the most recent literature on hydrogen stations, by presenting the technological status of the system at the global level, and their research enhancement on the involved components and processes. After the review of the mentioned aspects, this paper will present the already existing layouts and the potential configurations of such infrastructures, considering several options of the delivery routes, the end-user destination, and hydrogen storage thermodynamic status, whether liquid or gaseous. •Overview of the most recent literature on HRS operation and experimental activities•Discussion on already existing layouts of hydrogen refueling stations•Hydrogen storage thermodynamic status, liquid or gaseous, and related HRS layout•Research enhancement on the involved components and processes