Due to their accessibility and their longstanding position as family physicians, general practitioners (GPs) are often the first contact for patients in early stages of psychosis.In a large nationwide, two‐phased survey among GPs in Switzerland, we assessed their attitudes, knowledge and needs with respect to treatment of patients suffering from early schizophrenia psychosis, using a comprehensive questionnaire. Of the 3878 GPs contacted, 1089 (28.2%) responded once, and 185 GPs responded twice. Among the core items crucial for the assessment and corroboration of the diagnosis of early schizophrenia two core items – social decline and an observation over several months – were regularly underidentified independent of geographic variables, former psychiatric training or recent education in the field of early psychosis. Most GPs expressed a wish for collaborations with psychiatrists and low threshold referral services. Our results suggest that we have to improve the dissemination of crucial information about signs and symptoms of early psychosis. There is a high need for establishing easily accessible services across the country.