OBJECTIVES: To classify the characteristics and properties of the pharmacological treatments among migraine patients treated by neurologists in Spain.  Patients are becoming increasingly implicated in treatment decisions. Expectations in relation to therapy largely condition satisfaction with the results obtained.  METHODS: Multicenter, cross-sectional study in adult patients with at least one prescription of anti-migraine drugs within the last year. The protocol was approved by the CREC of La Princesa University Hospital (Madrid). Sociodemographic, and clinical characteristics of patients, as well as questions regarding their expectations with regard to migraine treatments and evaluation of the importance of their attributes are documented. Using a treatment expectations questionnaire and applying Kano methodology, sixteen treatment attributes were classified as: Must-be, One-dimensional, Attractive, Indifferent, Reverse or Questionable. Patients were required to give informed consent.  RESULTS: 68 neurologists included 174 patients diagnosed with migraine (mean age 39 years; 75% women). None of the attributes were considered "Must-be". The  attributes considered by most patients to be "One-dimensional" were the absence of long-term adverse effects (55%), to allow work/study activities (50%), to allow social and family relationship (50%), achievement of symptoms relief (47%) and pain relief (44.3%). The attributes considered "Attractive" by most patients were: achievement of rapid symptoms and pain relief (54%), and achievement of total disappearance of the pain (53.4%). The attributes that led to a greater dissatisfaction were the occurrence of long-term adverse effects, not to allow work activity or studies and not to achieve pain relief. The three attributes that led to a greater satisfaction were achievement of total disappearance of the symptoms and the pain, and rapid pain relief.  CONCLUSIONS: The expectations regarding a medical treatment significantly influence the satisfaction reached with the outcome of such treatment. A better knowledge of patient's expectations can lead to a greater satisfaction associated with treatment outcomes.