The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for purifying crude tall oil. The purification method comprises a first purification step (2) for separating at least solids (8) from the crude tall oil and producing solids free crude tall oil, and after the first purification step (2) a second purification step (4) for separating water (14) from the solids free crude tall oil. The purification apparatus comprises at least one solids separator (3, 5′) for separating at least solids (8) from the crude tall oil and producing solids free crude tall oil, and at least one water separator (5, 9) arranged downstream of the solids separator (3, 5′) in the flow direction of the crude tall oil for separating at least water (14) from the solids free crude tall oil.