Background Recent studies suggested an improved overall survival (OS) for BRCA2 - versus BRCA1 -associated epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), whereas the impact of chemotherapy is not yet clear. In a nationwide cohort, we examined the results of primary treatment, progression-free survival (PFS), treatment-free interval (TFI), and OS of BRCA1 versus BRCA2 EOC patients. Methods Two hundred and forty-five BRCA1 - and 99 BRCA2 -associated EOC patients were identified through all Dutch university hospitals. Analyses were carried out with the Pearson's Chi-square test, Kaplan–Meier, and Cox regression methods. Results BRCA1 patients were younger at EOC diagnosis than BRCA2 patients (51 versus 55 years; P < 0.001), without differences regarding histology, tumor grade, and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage. Complete response rates after primary treatment, including chemotherapy, did not differ between BRCA1 (86%) and BRCA2 patients (90%). BRCA1 versus BRCA2 patients had a shorter PFS (median 2.2 versus 3.9 years, respectively; P = 0.006), TFI (median 1.7 versus 2.8 years; P = 0.009), and OS (median 6.0 versus 9.7 years; P = 0.04). Differences could not be explained by age at diagnosis, FIGO stage or type of treatment. Conclusions PFS and OS were substantially longer in BRCA2 - than in BRCA1 -associated EOC patients. While response rates after primary treatment were similarly high in both groups, TFI, as surrogate for chemosensitivity, was significantly longer in BRCA2 patients.