Both Foxp3⁺CD4⁺ regulatory T cells (T_reg cells) and local immune responses in nonlymphoid tissues have long been recognized as important elements of a well-orchestrated immune system, but only recently have these two fields of study begun to intersect. There is growing evidence that T_reg cells are present in various nonlymphoid tissues in health and disease, that they have a unique phenotype and that their functions go beyond the classical modulation of immune responses. Thus, tissue T_reg cells might add yet another level to classification of the T_reg cell compartment into functional and/or phenotypic subtypes. In this Review, we summarize recent findings in this new field, discussing knowns and unknowns about the origin, phenotype, function and memory of nonlymphoid tissue-resident T_reg cells.