AbstractWe give an overview of the experience, SCKCEN acquired during 11 years of decommissioning activities of a PWR fission reactor. Experience has been gained in decontamination and dismantling technologies and in waste management. Dismantling an old PWR is quite different from the dismantling of the future fusion reactor. However, we can try to find out some common generic features and draw some lessons. Our experience shows that it is important to take the decommissiong aspects into account as soon as possible.