A combination of noble-metal free components, a water soluble porphyrin photosensitizer zincmeso-tetrakis(1-methylpyridinium-4-yl)porphyrin chloride [ZnTMPyP4+]Cl4 (1) with cobaloxime complex [CoIII(dmgH)2(py)Cl] (2) as a catalyst, creates an efficient system for photochemical hydrogen production acting under visible light with 280 TONs. This is the first example of a water soluble porphyrin acting as a photosensitizer for cobaloxime catalysed H2 production.