To compare first admission rates for schizophrenia in the four largest immigrant groups to the Netherlands (from Surinam, the Netherlands Antilles, Turkey and Morocco) with those of the Dutch population. DESIGN. Analysis of data from the national psychiatric register. METHOD. The frequencies of first admission (compulsory or not) for schizophrenia in 1990 were subdivided according to age, sex and country of birth. The figures were plotted against the numbers of immigrants living in the Netherlands on January 1st, 1990. The frequencies were compared with the chi2 test. RESULTS. Rates for immigrants from Surinam and the Netherlands Antilles were 2-5 times higher than those for Turkish immigrants and for the native-born population. Rates of first admissions for young male immigrants from Morocco were also increased but rates for female Moroccan immigrants and for immigrants from Turkey were not. Proportions of compulsory first admissions for young male immigrants were not increased. For young Surinam-born females, however, this proportion was increased. CONCLUSION. These results agree with those of British studies reporting an increased incidence of schizophrenia among Afro-Caribbean immigrants to the UK.