OBJECTIVES: Peoples’ expectations about length of life and future health related quality of life (HRQoL) may influence their health lifestyle and their compliance and willingness to pay for preventive and curative treatments. The aim of our study was to assess these expectations in a Hungarian sample. METHODS: Data were collected through a web-based questionnaire conducted on 26th November, 2008 in collaboration with the Hungarian web-journal Index (http://index.hu). Respondents answered questions about personal characteristics, their current health status (using the EQ-VAS), kin age, and their expectations about length of life and their HRQoL at ages 60, 70, 80 and 90 years (using the EQ-5D profile). RESULTS: A total of 9,407 questionnaires were collected and analyzed: mean age 36 (SD 11) years, 32.9% female, mean health status 77 (SD 19), and 64.3% married. The majority was full-time employed (81.5%), 73.6% had a degree, and all income levels were well-represented. Average age of death of kin was between 75-85 years at the majority (51.5%) of the respondents. Self-estimation regarding length of life was mean 79.3 (SD 1.6) years for men and 80.3 (SD 10.1) for women, which is an overestimation of 8.2 and 1.6 years on the actual Hungarian statistical life-expectancy. The difference was greater for younger people (aged≤50years: +6.3; aged>50years: +3.9 years). Respondents expected a decrease in HRQoL with age (0.77 at 60; 0.6 at 70; 0.34 at 80). For instance, mobility problems were expected by 34.1% of respondents at age 60 and by 92.5% at age 90, and mild or severe pain by 51.1% at age 60 and by 88.6% at age 90. CONCLUSIONS: People in Hungary are optimistic about their life expectancy, especially males and younger age-groups. A decrease of HRQoL with age is expected but its gradient and severity differs by health dimensions.