Aims/hypothesis We assessed the relationship between BP and risk of cardiovascular events (CVEs) and all-cause mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment (estimated GFR<60 ml min −1 1.73 m −2 ) treated in clinical practice. Methods A total of 33,356 patients (aged 75±9 years, diabetes duration of 10±8 years) with at least one serum creatinine and BP value available in the Swedish National Diabetes Register between 2005 and 2007 were followed up until 2011 or death. The relationships between mean BPs, CVEs and all-cause mortality were examined using time-dependent Cox models to estimate HRs, adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors and ongoing medications. Conclusions/interpretation In this nationwide cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes and renal impairment, the risk of CVEs and all-cause mortality increased significantly with both high and low BPs, while an SBP of 135-139 mmHg and DBP of 72-74 mmHg were associated with the lowest risks of CVEs and death.