The objective was to analyze factors associated with planned initiation of dialysis in diabetic patients in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional study of 250 diabetic patients who began dialysis between January 2006 and December 2007. Initiating dialysis with an arteriovenous fistula or in peritoneal dialysis was classified as planned initiation. The study targeted socio-demographic, clinical, and health services use variables using a semi-structured interview. Multivariate analysis used Poisson regression. Seventy per cent of the patients began dialysis on an unplanned basis, and 67% of those consulted had been referred to a nephrologist more than four months previously. Attending a health center, not having the first nephrology appointment paid for by the Brazilian Unified National Health System, and having a choice of treatment for the kidney disease were associated with planned initiation of dialysis. Unplanned initiation of dialysis is common in the city of Belo Horizonte and occurs regardless of the time since referral to the nephrologist.