Summary Objectives Persistent candidaemia (PC) is a recognised complication of candidaemia. Our objective was to evaluate risk factors and clinical significance of PC in adult patients. Methods This is a retrospective, cohort study. We compared PC with non‐PC. All patients with blood cultures positive for Candida species were identified from a microbiological database in the hospital district of Helsinki and Uusimaa from 2007 to 2016. PC was defined as an isolation of the same Candida species from positive blood culture for ≥5 days. Results PC criteria were fulfilled by 75/350 patients (21.4%). No significant difference emerged between persistent and non‐persistent cases caused by non‐albicans Candida species (37.3% vs 35.1%, P = .742). The length of hospital stay before onset of candidaemia was longer before PC (hospital stay > 7 days; 73.3% vs 59.6%, P = .043). No significant impact on 30‐day mortality was observed (20.0% vs 15.5%, P = .422). Using multivariable regression analysis, we found the presence of central venous catheter (CVC) (OR = 2.71, 95% CI 1.31‐5.59), metastatic infection foci (OR 3.60, 95% CI 1.66‐7.79) and ineffective empirical treatment (OR = 3.31, 95% CI 1.43‐7.65) to be independent risk factors for PC. In subgroup analysis, early source control was identified as a protective factor against PC (30.5% vs 57.7%, P = .002). Conclusion The presence of CVC, metastatic infection foci and ineffective empirical treatment were independently associated with PC in adult patients. Active search for and treatment of metastatic infection foci and removal of CVC are key elements for preventing PC.