ST R ES ZCZ E NI E B A C K G R O U N D :The objective of the paper was the self-assessment of satisfaction performed by the residents of social care homes in various European countries and analysis of the correlation of the level of satisfaction with the quality of life and chosen independent variables. M A T E R I A L A N D M E T H O D S :The study was carried out among 126 residents of nursing homes in Norway, England, Belgium, Holland, the Czech Republic and Poland, aged on average 79.3 years. The authors of the study used a survey questionnaire of their own authorship consisting of 35 questions including 6 demographic ones and 29 questions related to factors including satisfaction and quality of life. The conducted research was a pilot study. R E S U L T S :The majority of the residents was satisfied with their stay at the nursing home. The level of their satisfaction proved to be different depending on the location of the nursing home. The average level of self-assessment of the quality of life was 4.9 (on a scale of 1-6). It was demonstrated that the level of satisfaction correlated with the quality of life, age, the duration of the stay and residing with a spouse. C O N C L U S I O N S :The level of satisfaction of the residents of nursing homes in selected European countries is varied and demonstrates positive variation with the quality of life. The level of satisfaction of the residents of social care homes in certain European countries demonstrates a positive correlation with age, the duration of the stay and residing with a spouse. The comparative analysis of satisfaction and the quality of life of nursing home residents in various European countries requires taking into consideration cultural distinctiveness. K E Y W O R D Slife satisfaction, quality of life, nursing home, elderly, European countries