Background: The main function of the kidneys is to purge blood from waste products. When this function partially or completely ceases, the patient's blood is purified by a dialysis machine, either in hospital or in a dialysis reception. The treatment is time consuming because the patients need to perform the treatment at a specific place three to four times a week and, the treatment takes three to five hours. Aim: To describe the experiences of hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure. Method: A systematic literature study based on eleven articles with a qualitative approach were analyzed. Result: The result of the study showed that the patients´ experiences of hemodialysis revealed in four different themes. These were divided into limited freedom, changed interaction with the environment, patients' loss and uncertainty in the present and of the future. Conclusion: Being treated with hemodialysis involves major changes in the patients' daily life including, diet restrictions and time-consuming hospital visits. The changes affect several aspects of the patients´ physical, mental and social wellbeing.