A survey of different hydrological model types has been conducted as part of AIMWATER modelling group activities (Workpackage WP4100). Black box, conceptual and physically-based models were considered with relevance to their suitability for the project. This survey report on the rainfall-runoff modelling suggested some clear directions for the modelling group of the AIMWATER project. Data availability, the expertise within the modelling group and the operational nature of the model required indicated that conceptual models are best suited for the AIMWATER project. They are able to accommodate soil moisture information using soil moisture accounting procedures, they are by far less complex than physically-based distributed models, more easy to use and to implement, and less demanding in terms of input data requirement. Both spatially distributed and lumped approaches could be used in the project since remotely sensed soil moisture information can be spatially distributed or aggregated / lumped as wetness index over the catchment. A numerical assessment based on the application of 36 lumped, empirical or conceptual model structures on a large sample of 429 catchments revealed that GR4, GRHUM, IHACRES and TOPMODEL models could be recommended for use in the AIMWATER project.