BACKGROUND: Diabetes type 2 has in recent years become a regular national disease and there is concern that the further increase due to unhealthy dietary intake and reduced physical activity. A lifestyle change is recommended in order to prevent the development of the disease and reduce the progression of the disease. A god result can be achieved by health care workers and self care. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to describe patients’ experiences living with diabetes type 2. METHOD: The study is a literature review with analysis of qualitative research based on already completed studies. Data material is based on ten scientific qualitative articles. RESULT: The result led to two themes: Acceptance leads to the experience of welfare in patients who have the ability to accept the disease as a part of life and non-acceptance leads to experience difficulties in patients who cannot accept that they have fallen ill in diabetes type 2. These themes have subthemes describing the experiences in relation to the welfare and difficulties. DISCUSSION: This study may increase the skills of nurses how patients experience living with diabetes type 2 and the knowledge can be used by nurses as a constitution to adapt care after the patients´ own needs and difficulties associated with disease treatment.