Six instruments available in the Netherlands for the diagnosis of personality disorders are described comparatively: PDQ-R, MCMI(-II), VKP, IPDE, SIDP(-R) and SCID-II. Attention is given to their frame of reference (ICD-10, DSM-III, DSM- III-R or Millon), method (self-report questionnaire vs. interview), reliability, validity and specific qualities. International published data are supplemented with results of Dutch research. This overview presents the arguments to choose for an instrument given the demands of a research or diagnostical context.