BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess long-term chronic pain, numbness and functional impairment after open and laparoscopic groin hernia repair in a teaching hospital. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study in which all adult patients with a groin hernia repair between January 2000 and August 2005 received a questionnaire by post. It contained questions concerning frequency and intensity of pain, presence of bulge, numbness, and functional impairment. RESULTS: One thousand seven hundred and sixty-six questionnaires were returned (81.6%) and after a median follow-up period of nearly 3 years 40.2% of patients reported some degree of pain. Thirty-three patients (1.9%) experienced severe pain. Almost one-fourth reported numbness which correlated significantly with pain (P < 0.001). Other variables, identified as risk factors for the development of pain were age (P < 0.001) and recurrent hernia repair (P = 0.003). One-fifth of the patients felt functionally impaired in their work or leisure activities. CONCLUSION: Chronic pain and functional impairment are very common long-term complications after groin herniorrhapy in Dutch teaching hospitals.