SummaryFrom February 1970 till July 1973, 16 patients aged between 23 and 63 years were trained for home dialysis. Training was performed by two nurses and in facilities separated from the dialysis centre.More than 2400 dialyses have been performed at home, 1/3 through an arteriovenous fistula, 2/3 through a shunt. 2 Patients died, one was transplanted, the 13 others are still on the programme from 2 to 33 months.Medical, social and professional rehabilitation is excellent.Medical supervision includes regular laboratory determinations and monthly outpatient clinic attendance. Hospital technicians are responsible for the maintenance of the home equipment. Every 2 to 4 months the centre nurse visits the patient.Medical, technical and nursing advise is permanently available. Complications or difficulties encountered by the patient at home are analyzed.Requirements to achieve optimal home dialysis are discussed.The low cost of this form of therapy and the quality of medical and social rehabilitation achieved, justify the expansion of home dialysis in Belgium in order to meet the increment in dialysis requirements that can be foreseen for the coming years.