Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) comprises a group of diseases characterized by connective tissue fragility. The clinical symptoms primarily involve the skin, joints, blood vessels and internal organs. Diagnosing EDS is complicated because of the clinical variability, imprecise diagnostic criteria, and because physicians may lack knowledge of this rare disease. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the clinical symptoms and to provide recommendations on diagnosis and treatment. Referring patients to one of the national centres for rare diseases is important.