Phagocytosis is a conserved cellular process in Eukaryotes. A multi-step process, it involves the recognition of paniculate material, e.g., microbes and apoptotic cells, their F-actin-driven engulfment and the subsequent destruction of the phagocytized material in phagolysosomes. Distinct sets of small GTP-binding proteins (Rap1, Arf6, Rho and Rab proteins) control and coordinate the successive steps of the phagocytic process. Moreover, these proteins are often targeted by microbial virulence factors. This review summarizes and discusses the evidence implicating Ras, Rho, Arf and Rab-family GTPases in the signalling pathways driving particle recognition and uptake.