OBJECTIVES: EuSANH is a network of science advisory bodies in Europe. The project Eusanh-ISA is funded by 7th framework programme of DG Research. It aims  to improve the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of science advice for health across Europe. Within this project  the objective of this work is to learn about the perceptions of policy-makers (PM) and science advise bodies’ (SAB) staff concerning the relationship between these two groups, and the current use of science advice (SA) in policy making. METHODS: Two questionnaires were designed targeting both PM involved in developing health policy (such as government ministers, officials and senior public servants within national and/or local health services) and senior staff with extensive experience working in a SAB. The questionnaire was sent to 25 PM and to 29 SAB staff. Descriptive analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Nineteen PM (3 Belgium, 1 Czech Republic, 1 Lithuania, 2 the Netherlands, 2  Poland, 1 Romania, 5 Spain, 3 Sweden and 1 UK) and 25 SAB staff (1 Belgium, 1 Czech Republic, 1 Italy,1 Lithuania, 4 the Netherlands, 1 Poland, 3 Romania, 11 Spain, and 2 from Sweden) responded the questionnaire. Factors seen as barriers for the relationship between PM and SAB are the differences in timing, interest, and difficulties to translate policy problems into research questions. The communication was seen as informal. PM and SAB considered that usefulness of SA could be improved with more clarity, brevity, simplicity and concise reporting. Transparency, independency, existence of procedures to adequately deal with conflict of interest, rigor and systematization of knowledge are factors ranked with highest value. CONCLUSIONS: Proposals to improve the SA process are “organising regular high level meetings” and “improve the trust between decisors and researchers”.