OBJECTIVES: The impact of memory problems (MPs) on patient functioning, well-being and diabetes management is not well understood. This study examines these impacts in Germany and compares findings to data from US, UK, Canada and China. METHODS: A 5 country web-based survey was conducted. MPs were defined as: unintentionally forgetting to take insulin (UF), questioning if insulin had been taken (QT), or questioning amount of dose (QD). RESULTS: 350 German respondents (60.0% Type 1) completed the survey, 61.1% male, mean age of 39.5 (±13.3) and mean age of diabetes onset 30.2 (±12.6).  The prevalence of MPs in the past month was: 74.0% UF, 82.0% QT and 68.3% QD.  MPs occurred most frequently when waking in the morning or when relaxing.  Between 27.9% (UF) – 48.3% (QD) of respondents skipped their insulin dose and waited for next scheduled dose when experiencing a MP.  Patients experiencing MPs required between 2.0 (QT)–8.7 (UF) hours, on average, to return to normal blood glucose range, conducted between 1.2 (QT) –4.4 (UF) extra BG monitoring tests, reported a moderate negative impact on their physical and emotional functioning, work absenteeism or reduced ability to function optimally when at work and between 3.6% (QT) and 13.8% (QD) visited/contacted  their health care provider due to MPs. Compared to the total sample (N=1404), German respondents were more likely to report that their diabetes was very well/well controlled and that they were very/extremely confident in knowing what to do when they had an MP compared to respondents and were less likely than patients in other countries to have contact with a physician or other healthcare professional following a MP.  CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that MPs carry financial burden, impact patients’ daily functioning and well-being and may be serious obstacles to optimal diabetes control. This burden may be some lower in Germany than other countries.