Abstract Bimetallic catalysts have manifold technological applications; their reactivity can greatly exceed that of the original single metals. In this work, we investigate an ideal model-system consisting of a complete monolayer of Pd underneath the surface of Au(111). First, we investigate the stability of this system, and then its interaction with hydrogen. We analyse in detail the energetics and the electronic interactions for the Volmer step of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and the further absorption below the surface layer of gold. We combine Density Functional Theory based computational techniques with the theory of electrocatalysis.