AbstractBackgroundAdolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic conditions face a transfer, defined as an actual shift from paediatric to adult‐oriented health care. Transition competence as the self‐perceived knowledge, skills and abilities regarding the transition process was considered extremely useful.AimThis study was designed to investigate the impact of transition competence before and after the transfer on disease‐specific quality of life (QoL) and health care satisfaction of AYAs with diabetes.ResultsIn total, a sample of N = 90 AYAs with diabetes self‐reported their transition competence, diabetes‐specific QoL and satisfaction with care. Multiple linear regressions were used to analyse the impact of transition competence on satisfaction with care and QoL. Transition competence positively influenced the outcomes of satisfaction with care and QoL.ConclusionYoung adults with diabetes showed higher transition competence scores than adolescents with diabetes.