The present study analyzed occupational rehabilitation following renal transplantation and its impact on social costs.A survey was conducted on 493 patients who had undergone renal transplantation during 1979 to 1995. The results show that 27.76% were working after kidney transplantation versus 27.52% during dialysis. Retirement was the most common explanation given for not working (29.4%) when the percentage of those over age 65 accounted for 8%.Analysis of the occupational status in relation with sex, age, level of education, profession and type of dialysis disclosed that women aged 25-34 years, with a high level of education, who describe themselves as entrepreneurs and have had peritoneal dialysis, have a higher likelihood of working after transplantation.