diff --git a/beets/config_default.yaml b/beets/config_default.yaml
index fa77a82dc5..3b03779664 100644
--- a/beets/config_default.yaml
+++ b/beets/config_default.yaml
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import:
     copy: yes
     move: no
     link: no
+    hardlink: no
     delete: no
     resume: ask
     incremental: no
diff --git a/beets/importer.py b/beets/importer.py
index 6a10f4c97d..bbe152cd49 100644
--- a/beets/importer.py
+++ b/beets/importer.py
@@ -220,13 +220,19 @@ def set_config(self, config):
             iconfig['resume'] = False
             iconfig['incremental'] = False
 
-        # Copy, move, and link are mutually exclusive.
+        # Copy, move, link, and hardlink are mutually exclusive.
         if iconfig['move']:
             iconfig['copy'] = False
             iconfig['link'] = False
+            iconfig['hardlink'] = False
         elif iconfig['link']:
             iconfig['copy'] = False
             iconfig['move'] = False
+            iconfig['hardlink'] = False
+        elif iconfig['hardlink']:
+            iconfig['copy'] = False
+            iconfig['move'] = False
+            iconfig['link'] = False
 
         # Only delete when copying.
         if not iconfig['copy']:
@@ -654,19 +660,19 @@ def align_album_level_fields(self):
             item.update(changes)
 
     def manipulate_files(self, move=False, copy=False, write=False,
-                         link=False, session=None):
+                         link=False, hardlink=False, session=None):
         items = self.imported_items()
         # Save the original paths of all items for deletion and pruning
         # in the next step (finalization).
         self.old_paths = [item.path for item in items]
         for item in items:
-            if move or copy or link:
+            if move or copy or link or hardlink:
                 # In copy and link modes, treat re-imports specially:
                 # move in-library files. (Out-of-library files are
                 # copied/moved as usual).
                 old_path = item.path
-                if (copy or link) and self.replaced_items[item] and \
-                   session.lib.directory in util.ancestry(old_path):
+                if (copy or link or hardlink) and self.replaced_items[item] \
+                   and session.lib.directory in util.ancestry(old_path):
                     item.move()
                     # We moved the item, so remove the
                     # now-nonexistent file from old_paths.
@@ -674,7 +680,7 @@ def manipulate_files(self, move=False, copy=False, write=False,
                 else:
                     # A normal import. Just copy files and keep track of
                     # old paths.
-                    item.move(copy, link)
+                    item.move(copy, link, hardlink)
 
             if write and (self.apply or self.choice_flag == action.RETAG):
                 item.try_write()
@@ -1412,6 +1418,7 @@ def manipulate_files(session, task):
             copy=session.config['copy'],
             write=session.config['write'],
             link=session.config['link'],
+            hardlink=session.config['hardlink'],
             session=session,
         )
 
diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 4e5d9ccf65..b263ecd646 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -663,7 +663,7 @@ def try_sync(self, write, move, with_album=True):
 
     # Files themselves.
 
-    def move_file(self, dest, copy=False, link=False):
+    def move_file(self, dest, copy=False, link=False, hardlink=False):
         """Moves or copies the item's file, updating the path value if
         the move succeeds. If a file exists at ``dest``, then it is
         slightly modified to be unique.
@@ -678,6 +678,10 @@ def move_file(self, dest, copy=False, link=False):
             util.link(self.path, dest)
             plugins.send("item_linked", item=self, source=self.path,
                          destination=dest)
+        elif hardlink:
+            util.hardlink(self.path, dest)
+            plugins.send("item_hardlinked", item=self, source=self.path,
+                         destination=dest)
         else:
             plugins.send("before_item_moved", item=self, source=self.path,
                          destination=dest)
@@ -730,15 +734,16 @@ def remove(self, delete=False, with_album=True):
 
         self._db._memotable = {}
 
-    def move(self, copy=False, link=False, basedir=None, with_album=True,
-             store=True):
+    def move(self, copy=False, link=False, hardlink=False, basedir=None,
+             with_album=True, store=True):
         """Move the item to its designated location within the library
         directory (provided by destination()). Subdirectories are
         created as needed. If the operation succeeds, the item's path
         field is updated to reflect the new location.
 
         If `copy` is true, moving the file is copied rather than moved.
-        Similarly, `link` creates a symlink instead.
+        Similarly, `link` creates a symlink instead, and `hardlink`
+        creates a hardlink.
 
         basedir overrides the library base directory for the
         destination.
@@ -761,7 +766,7 @@ def move(self, copy=False, link=False, basedir=None, with_album=True,
 
         # Perform the move and store the change.
         old_path = self.path
-        self.move_file(dest, copy, link)
+        self.move_file(dest, copy, link, hardlink)
         if store:
             self.store()
 
@@ -979,7 +984,7 @@ def remove(self, delete=False, with_items=True):
             for item in self.items():
                 item.remove(delete, False)
 
-    def move_art(self, copy=False, link=False):
+    def move_art(self, copy=False, link=False, hardlink=False):
         """Move or copy any existing album art so that it remains in the
         same directory as the items.
         """
@@ -999,6 +1004,8 @@ def move_art(self, copy=False, link=False):
             util.copy(old_art, new_art)
         elif link:
             util.link(old_art, new_art)
+        elif hardlink:
+            util.hardlink(old_art, new_art)
         else:
             util.move(old_art, new_art)
         self.artpath = new_art
@@ -1008,7 +1015,8 @@ def move_art(self, copy=False, link=False):
             util.prune_dirs(os.path.dirname(old_art),
                             self._db.directory)
 
-    def move(self, copy=False, link=False, basedir=None, store=True):
+    def move(self, copy=False, link=False, hardlink=False, basedir=None,
+             store=True):
         """Moves (or copies) all items to their destination. Any album
         art moves along with them. basedir overrides the library base
         directory for the destination. By default, the album is stored to the
@@ -1026,11 +1034,11 @@ def move(self, copy=False, link=False, basedir=None, store=True):
         # Move items.
         items = list(self.items())
         for item in items:
-            item.move(copy, link, basedir=basedir, with_album=False,
+            item.move(copy, link, hardlink, basedir=basedir, with_album=False,
                       store=store)
 
         # Move art.
-        self.move_art(copy, link)
+        self.move_art(copy, link, hardlink)
         if store:
             self.store()
 
diff --git a/beets/util/__init__.py b/beets/util/__init__.py
index 18d89ddd9e..f6cd488d6d 100644
--- a/beets/util/__init__.py
+++ b/beets/util/__init__.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 from __future__ import division, absolute_import, print_function
 import os
 import sys
+import errno
 import locale
 import re
 import shutil
@@ -477,16 +478,15 @@ def move(path, dest, replace=False):
 def link(path, dest, replace=False):
     """Create a symbolic link from path to `dest`. Raises an OSError if
     `dest` already exists, unless `replace` is True. Does nothing if
-    `path` == `dest`."""
-    if (samefile(path, dest)):
+    `path` == `dest`.
+    """
+    if samefile(path, dest):
         return
 
-    path = syspath(path)
-    dest = syspath(dest)
-    if os.path.exists(dest) and not replace:
+    if os.path.exists(syspath(dest)) and not replace:
         raise FilesystemError(u'file exists', 'rename', (path, dest))
     try:
-        os.symlink(path, dest)
+        os.symlink(syspath(path), syspath(dest))
     except NotImplementedError:
         # raised on python >= 3.2 and Windows versions before Vista
         raise FilesystemError(u'OS does not support symbolic links.'
@@ -500,6 +500,30 @@ def link(path, dest, replace=False):
                               traceback.format_exc())
 
 
+def hardlink(path, dest, replace=False):
+    """Create a hard link from path to `dest`. Raises an OSError if
+    `dest` already exists, unless `replace` is True. Does nothing if
+    `path` == `dest`.
+    """
+    if samefile(path, dest):
+        return
+
+    if os.path.exists(syspath(dest)) and not replace:
+        raise FilesystemError(u'file exists', 'rename', (path, dest))
+    try:
+        os.link(syspath(path), syspath(dest))
+    except NotImplementedError:
+        raise FilesystemError(u'OS does not support hard links.'
+                              'link', (path, dest), traceback.format_exc())
+    except OSError as exc:
+        if exc.errno == errno.EXDEV:
+            raise FilesystemError(u'Cannot hard link across devices.'
+                                  'link', (path, dest), traceback.format_exc())
+        else:
+            raise FilesystemError(exc, 'link', (path, dest),
+                                  traceback.format_exc())
+
+
 def unique_path(path):
     """Returns a version of ``path`` that does not exist on the
     filesystem. Specifically, if ``path` itself already exists, then
diff --git a/beetsplug/importadded.py b/beetsplug/importadded.py
index 07434ee729..c1838884ba 100644
--- a/beetsplug/importadded.py
+++ b/beetsplug/importadded.py
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ def __init__(self):
         register('before_item_moved', self.record_import_mtime)
         register('item_copied', self.record_import_mtime)
         register('item_linked', self.record_import_mtime)
+        register('item_hardlinked', self.record_import_mtime)
         register('album_imported', self.update_album_times)
         register('item_imported', self.update_item_times)
         register('after_write', self.update_after_write_time)
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ def reimported_album(self, album):
 
     def record_if_inplace(self, task, session):
         if not (session.config['copy'] or session.config['move'] or
-                session.config['link']):
+                session.config['link'] or session.config['hardlink']):
             self._log.debug(u"In place import detected, recording mtimes from "
                             u"source paths")
             items = [task.item] \
diff --git a/docs/dev/plugins.rst b/docs/dev/plugins.rst
index fb063aee0c..4d41c89718 100644
--- a/docs/dev/plugins.rst
+++ b/docs/dev/plugins.rst
@@ -161,6 +161,10 @@ The events currently available are:
   for a file.
   Parameters: ``item``, ``source`` path, ``destination`` path
 
+* `item_hardlinked`: called with an ``Item`` object whenever a hardlink is
+  created for a file.
+  Parameters: ``item``, ``source`` path, ``destination`` path
+
 * `item_removed`: called with an ``Item`` object every time an item (singleton
   or album's part) is removed from the library (even when its file is not
   deleted from disk).
diff --git a/docs/reference/config.rst b/docs/reference/config.rst
index 779e920d29..40f8e9185f 100644
--- a/docs/reference/config.rst
+++ b/docs/reference/config.rst
@@ -433,8 +433,8 @@ link
 ~~~~
 
 Either ``yes`` or ``no``, indicating whether to use symbolic links instead of
-moving or copying files. (It conflicts with the ``move`` and ``copy``
-options.) Defaults to ``no``.
+moving or copying files. (It conflicts with the ``move``, ``copy`` and
+``hardlink`` options.) Defaults to ``no``.
 
 This option only works on platforms that support symbolic links: i.e., Unixes.
 It will fail on Windows.
@@ -442,6 +442,19 @@ It will fail on Windows.
 It's likely that you'll also want to set ``write`` to ``no`` if you use this
 option to preserve the metadata on the linked files.
 
+.. _hardlink:
+
+hardlink
+~~~~~~~~
+
+Either ``yes`` or ``no``, indicating whether to use hard links instead of
+moving or copying or symlinking files. (It conflicts with the ``move``,
+``copy``, and ``link`` options.) Defaults to ``no``.
+
+As with symbolic links (see :ref:`link`, above), this will not work on Windows
+and you will want to set ``write`` to ``no``.  Otherwise meatadata on the
+original file will be modified.
+
 resume
 ~~~~~~
 
diff --git a/test/_common.py b/test/_common.py
index 2e74185167..f3213ec31f 100644
--- a/test/_common.py
+++ b/test/_common.py
@@ -54,6 +54,7 @@
 
 # OS feature test.
 HAVE_SYMLINK = sys.platform != 'win32'
+HAVE_HARDLINK = sys.platform != 'win32'
 
 
 def item(lib=None):
diff --git a/test/test_files.py b/test/test_files.py
index b566f363ea..834d3391ce 100644
--- a/test/test_files.py
+++ b/test/test_files.py
@@ -141,6 +141,27 @@ def test_link_changes_path(self):
         self.i.move(link=True)
         self.assertEqual(self.i.path, util.normpath(self.dest))
 
+    @unittest.skipUnless(_common.HAVE_HARDLINK, "need hardlinks")
+    def test_hardlink_arrives(self):
+        self.i.move(hardlink=True)
+        self.assertExists(self.dest)
+        s1 = os.stat(self.path)
+        s2 = os.stat(self.dest)
+        self.assertTrue(
+            (s1[stat.ST_INO], s1[stat.ST_DEV]) ==
+            (s2[stat.ST_INO], s2[stat.ST_DEV])
+        )
+
+    @unittest.skipUnless(_common.HAVE_HARDLINK, "need hardlinks")
+    def test_hardlink_does_not_depart(self):
+        self.i.move(hardlink=True)
+        self.assertExists(self.path)
+
+    @unittest.skipUnless(_common.HAVE_HARDLINK, "need hardlinks")
+    def test_hardlink_changes_path(self):
+        self.i.move(hardlink=True)
+        self.assertEqual(self.i.path, util.normpath(self.dest))
+
 
 class HelperTest(_common.TestCase):
     def test_ancestry_works_on_file(self):
diff --git a/test/test_importadded.py b/test/test_importadded.py
index 52aa267562..dd933c3c89 100644
--- a/test/test_importadded.py
+++ b/test/test_importadded.py
@@ -93,6 +93,7 @@ def test_import_album_inplace_with_added_dates(self):
         self.config['import']['copy'] = False
         self.config['import']['move'] = False
         self.config['import']['link'] = False
+        self.config['import']['hardlink'] = False
         self.assertAlbumImport()
 
     def test_import_album_with_preserved_mtimes(self):
diff --git a/test/test_importer.py b/test/test_importer.py
index 87724f8dac..26dec3de8e 100644
--- a/test/test_importer.py
+++ b/test/test_importer.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 import shutil
 import unicodedata
 import sys
+import stat
 from six import StringIO
 from tempfile import mkstemp
 from zipfile import ZipFile
@@ -209,7 +210,8 @@ def _create_import_dir(self, count=3):
 
     def _setup_import_session(self, import_dir=None, delete=False,
                               threaded=False, copy=True, singletons=False,
-                              move=False, autotag=True, link=False):
+                              move=False, autotag=True, link=False,
+                              hardlink=False):
         config['import']['copy'] = copy
         config['import']['delete'] = delete
         config['import']['timid'] = True
@@ -219,6 +221,7 @@ def _setup_import_session(self, import_dir=None, delete=False,
         config['import']['autotag'] = autotag
         config['import']['resume'] = False
         config['import']['link'] = link
+        config['import']['hardlink'] = hardlink
 
         self.importer = TestImportSession(
             self.lib, loghandler=None, query=None,
@@ -353,6 +356,24 @@ def test_import_link_arrives(self):
                 mediafile.path
             )
 
+    @unittest.skipUnless(_common.HAVE_HARDLINK, "need hardlinks")
+    def test_import_hardlink_arrives(self):
+        config['import']['hardlink'] = True
+        self.importer.run()
+        for mediafile in self.import_media:
+            filename = os.path.join(
+                self.libdir,
+                b'Tag Artist', b'Tag Album',
+                util.bytestring_path('{0}.mp3'.format(mediafile.title))
+            )
+            self.assertExists(filename)
+            s1 = os.stat(mediafile.path)
+            s2 = os.stat(filename)
+            self.assertTrue(
+                (s1[stat.ST_INO], s1[stat.ST_DEV]) ==
+                (s2[stat.ST_INO], s2[stat.ST_DEV])
+            )
+
 
 def create_archive(session):
     (handle, path) = mkstemp(dir=py3_path(session.temp_dir))