In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for the purification of virus compositions as well as biological macromolecular compounds in a sample comprising mixing the sample with osmolytes, like non-ionic organic polymers and contacting the mixed sample with a hydrophilic membrane, optionally washing the membrane, and eluting the virus preparations or biological macromolecular components from the membrane with an eluting solution containing reduced amounts or no osmolytes, like non-ionic organic polymer. Moreover, virus compositions and biological macromolecular components obtainable with the method according to the present invention are provided as well as the use of the method according to the present invention for purification of virus compositions including whole virus particles and virus-like particles or biological macromolecular components.