Methods, systems and computer-readable storage mediums encoded with computer programs executed by one or more processors for conditional role activation in a database are disclosed. In an embodiment, a request to activate a role for a user of a database system is received, and a predicate for conditional activation of the role is determined. The conditions of the predicate are evaluated, and if the conditions of the predicate are satisfied, the role is activated for the user. If, however, one or more of the conditions of the predicate are not satisfied, the role is not activated for the user.