Abstract Surface electronic properties of GaP nanowires were investigated using scanning probe force microscopy. I-V curves of individual free-standing NWs with different doping types were obtained. Surface Fermi level positions in the nanowires of different crystal phases and doping types were extracted using phase-modulated Kelvin probe force microscopy. The results indicate on weak Fermi level pinning in GaP nanowires. The difference between wurtzite and zinc blende GaP work function is observed.