[Current German laws for foreigners as a contributory factor in the treatment of a first-time acute schizophrenic episode]

In a case report we describe an 18 year old Croat refugee with a first episode schizophrenia to discuss the current German laws for foreigners as a possible factor for the maintenance of the disease. Short residence permits, the release of the professional discretion to the authorities, deficient information about the laws and the unclear situation in the native country of the patients can lead to a worst course and prognosis of the disease.