To describe outcome and prognostic factors in a national Danish series of patients treated for salivary gland carcinoma. From three Danish nation-wide registries and supplementary patient records, 871 patients diagnosed with primary major or minor salivary gland carcinoma in the period from 1990 to 2005 were identified. A total of 796 (91%) histological specimens were revised according to the WHO 2005 classification. The median follow-up time was 78months. Three hundred and thirty-four patients (38%) experienced recurrence. Crude survival, disease-specific survival and recurrence-free survival after 5 and 10years were 66%, 76%, 64% and 51%, 69%, 58%, respectively. In multivariate analysis age, latency, stage, microscopic margins, vascular invasion and histological grade were all independent prognostic factors with regards to crude and disease-specific survival. Stage, microscopic margins, vascular invasion and histological grade were independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival. Age over 61years, latency under 8months, stage 3+4 disease, involved or close microscopic margins, vascular invasion and high histological grade are all independent prognostic factors with a negative impact on survival in salivary gland carcinoma patients. This knowledge can be helpful in guiding clinicians in daily work and choice of treatment across the large variety of salivary gland carcinoma subtypes.