The present invention is related to a galvanic nickel or nickel alloy electroplating bath for depositing a semi-bright nickel or nickel alloy coating characterized in that the electroplating bath comprises at least one compound having the general formula (I) wherein R1=C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with a SO3− group, C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with a carboxylic group or C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with at least an aromatic and/or a heteroaromatic group; R2=NR3R4 moiety, OR5 moiety, or cyclic NR6 moiety, wherein R3, R4, R5=hydrogen or C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety or C1-C18 hydrocarbon moiety substituted with at least an aromatic and/or a heteroaromatic group, wherein R3, R4 and R5 are identical or different; R6=C3-C8 hydrocarbon moiety or C3-C8 hydrocarbon moiety, wherein at least one carbon atom is substituted by a heteroatom; and n=1-3.