Self-empowerment is one of important aspects in patient's self-management. The empowered patients are able to manage their diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between self-empowerment and self-management behavior in patients with type 2 DM in Bantul. This was correlation study with cross-sectional approach. The samples were 86 patients with type 2 DM which were selected through purpose sampling. The DES-SF questionnaire was used to measure self-empowerment and the SDSCA questionnaire was used to assess patient's self management behavior. The data were analyzed by using Spearman Rank Correlation test with p < 0,05. The result of the study showed that there was a significant correlation between patient's selfempowerment and self-management behavior (r = 0,648, p < 0,05). The better self-empowerment, the better self-management behavior of the patients. The nurses have to concern to empower patients to improve patient's self-management behavior. A further research is needed with observation method and controls the possible confounding variables.