Abstract   Background Literature on recovery of kidney function (RKF) in patients with end-stage kidney disease treated with maintenance dialysis (i.e. >90 days) is limited. We assessed the incidence of RKF and its associated characteristics in a European cohort of dialysis patients. Methods We included adult patients from the European Renal Association–European Dialysis and Transplant Association Registry who started maintenance dialysis in 1997–2016. Sustained RKF was defined as permanent discontinuation of dialysis. Temporary discontinuation of ≥30 days (non-sustained RKF) was also evaluated. Factors associated with RKF adjusted for potential confounders were studied using Cox regression analyses. Results RKF occurred in 7657 (1.8%) of 440 996 patients, of whom 71% experienced sustained RKF. Approximately 90% of all recoveries occurred within the first 2 years after Day 91 of dialysis. Of patients with non-sustained RKF, 39% restarted kidney replacement therapy within 1 year. Sustained RKF was strongly associated with the following underlying kidney diseases (as registered by the treating physician): tubular necrosis (irreversible) or cortical necrosis {adjusted hazard ratio aHR 20.4 95% confidence interval (CI) 17.9–23.1}, systemic sclerosis aHR 18.5 (95% CI 13.8–24.7) and haemolytic uremic syndrome aHR 17.3 (95% CI 13.9–21.6). Weaker associations were found for haemodialysis as a first dialysis modality aHR 1.5 (95% CI 1.4–1.6) and dialysis initiation at an older age aHR 1.8 (95% CI 1.6–2.0) or in a more recent time period aHR 2.4 (95% CI 2.1–2.7). Conclusions Definitive discontinuation of maintenance dialysis is a rare and not necessarily an early event. Certain clinical characteristics, but mostly the type of underlying kidney disease, are associated with a higher likelihood of RKF.