In the present study, the involuntary admission frequencies before and after the introduction of new legislation (the Law bopz) were investigated. In comparison with the overall admission frequencies a significant increase in the number of involuntary admissions was found. Consequently, a larger percentage of the inpatients are treated against their will. The new legislation, aiming at protecting the psychiatric patients' rights, seems to have led to a remarkable rise in the number of involuntary admissions.