Despite adequate surgical treatment by radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, about half of patients suffering from muscle-invasive urothelial bladder cancer will die. Both overall and cancer-specific survival has been improved by neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However, it is still not possible to predict who is likely to benefit from neoadjuvant treatment and who will not. In contrast to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy has not definitely been proven. In metastatic urothelial cancer chemotherapy is usually a palliative treatment option. However, in a significant proportion of patients, disease stabilisation and even long-term response can be achieved. Important advances to tailor first-and second-line chemotherapy have recently been reported for clinical prognostic parameters. This review discusses the current standards and developments in the chemotherapeutic treatment of urothelial bladder cancer. Furthermore, it should provide a framework for reasonable treatment choices in daily clinical practice.