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Aims: This study analysed whether beliefs about medicines mediated the relationship between illness representations and medication adherence. Background: Adherence to medication is required in diabetes treatment, contributing to decreased blood glycaemic levels. The knowledge and perception of patients about diabetes as well as the beliefs about medicines are considered to be key factors for medication adherence. Design The study used a cross‐sectional design that included 387 patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Participants were assessed, between 2010 and 2013, and answered the Medication Adherence Scale, the Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire, and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Results: The results of the path analysis showed that beliefs about medicines had a mediating role on self‐report medication adherence with the exception of beliefs about specific concerns with medicines. Therefore, both general beliefs and specific needs about medicines mediated the relationship between diabetes consequences and self‐report medication adherence as well as between treatment control and self‐report medication adherence. Needs about medicines mediated the relationship between personal control and self‐report medication adherence. Conclusion: Health professionals should target beliefs about medicines besides illness representations regarding medication adherence. The current study may help optimize adherence to medication in early‐diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients. SUMMARY STATEMENT: What is already known about this topic? Adherence to medication is a required self‐care behaviour in type 2 diabetes treatment regimen to decrease blood glycaemic levels.The Extended Common‐Sense Model proposes beliefs about medicines as mediators between illness representations and adherence, and they have been tested in several chronic disease samples.The mediator role of medication beliefs between illness representations regarding diabetes and medication adherence has never been studied in patients recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. What this paper adds? Both general beliefs and specific needs about medicines mediated the relationship between diabetes consequences/treatment control and self‐report medication adherence.Needs about medicines mediated the relationship between personal control and self‐report medication adherence. The implications of this paper: Health professionals should target beliefs about medicines besides illness representations regarding medication adherence.The current study may help optimize intervention regarding adherence to medication in early‐diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]