In this paper the in vitro degradation of ultrafine grained (UFG) Mg-Zn-Ca alloy produced by HPT was investigated by electrochemical measurements and immersion tests in SBF. It was found that UFG Mg alloy had better degradation properties and also higher microhardness value than as-cast Mg alloy. The corrosion current density of UFG Mg alloy decreased by about two orders of magnitude, compared with that of as-cast alloy. Through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) test,UFG Mg alloy showed a higher charge transfer resistance value. In immersion test, UFG Mg alloy in SBF exhibited more uniform corrosion and lower degradation rate (0.0763 mm/yr) than as-cast alloy. The degradation properties were related with the microstructure evolution, namely the grain refinement and redistribution of second phase. Keywords: Mg-Zn-Ca alloy; High-pressure torsion (HPT); Degradation behavior; Simulated body fluid (SBF); Microhardness