Involuntary admission in Switzerland: a guide for families
When someone you love is in danger because of alcohol, drugs or a mental health crisis and refuses all help, families often ask whether they can be admitted against their will. Swiss law allows this in narrow circumstances, through a procedure called fürsorgerische Unterbringung (FU) in German and placement à des fins d'assistance (PAFA) in French. This guide explains when it applies, who decides, what rights the person keeps and what it does not do. It is general information, not legal advice: for a specific situation, speak to a doctor or a lawyer.
By Switzerland Recovery editorial team · · 8 min read
What the law says
The rules are in Articles 426 to 439 of the Swiss Civil Code. A person may be placed in a suitable institution if they have a mental disorder, a mental disability or are seriously neglected, and the treatment or care they need cannot be provided in any other way (Fedlex: Civil Code Art. 426). The burden on relatives and the protection of other people must be taken into account.
The Federal Supreme Court has accepted that addiction, for example alcohol or drug dependence, can count as a mental disorder in this sense (Federal Supreme Court, 5A_497/2014). That does not mean every person with an addiction can be admitted against their will. The test is whether care is needed that cannot be given in a less restrictive way, such as outpatient treatment, support at home or a voluntary stay.
The English version of the Civil Code on Fedlex is an unofficial translation; only the German, French and Italian texts are legally binding.
Who can order a placement
The adult protection authority (Kindes- und Erwachsenenschutzbehörde, KESB, or APEA in French and Italian) is responsible for ordering a placement and for discharge (Fedlex: Civil Code Art. 428).
Cantons can also designate doctors who may order a placement themselves, for a period set by cantonal law of at most six weeks. After that period the placement ends unless the adult protection authority has issued its own order (Fedlex: Civil Code Art. 429). The details differ between cantons: in St. Gallen, for example, the cantonal information sheet distinguishes between ordinary doctors in urgent cases and district doctors, with different maximum durations (KESB St. Gallen, 2025).
Families cannot order a placement. You can contact the family doctor, a psychiatric emergency service or the KESB in the person's place of residence and describe what you are seeing. Cantonal websites explain the local process, for example in Aargau (Canton of Aargau, 2026) and Geneva (Canton of Geneva, 2026).
“relapses to drug abuse can occur and should signal a need for treatment to be reinstated or adjusted”
How a doctor's placement works
The doctor must examine and speak with the person personally. The written decision must state at least the place and date of the examination, the doctor's name, the findings, the reasons and purpose of the placement, and how to appeal. Where possible, the doctor informs a close person in writing (Fedlex: Civil Code Art. 430).
An appeal does not automatically stop the placement, unless the doctor or the court decides otherwise (Fedlex: Civil Code Art. 430).
Voluntary patients who want to leave
A separate rule applies to people who entered a clinic voluntarily. If a patient with a mental disorder wants to leave and would seriously endanger their own life or health, or seriously endanger someone else, the clinic's medical management may hold them for up to three days. After three days the person may leave unless an enforceable placement order exists, and they must be told in writing that they can go to court (Fedlex: Civil Code Art. 427).
This is why private rehab clinics, which admit people on a voluntary basis, describe themselves as voluntary settings. Our guide to a 28-day rehab programme explains what a voluntary stay normally involves.
The person's rights during a placement
A placement restricts freedom, so the law builds in protections. The person can request discharge at any time, and so can a close person; the request must be decided without delay (Fedlex: Civil Code Art. 426). They must be discharged as soon as the conditions are no longer met.
- A person of trust: anyone placed may choose someone to support them during the stay and in all related procedures (Art. 432)
- A treatment plan: the doctor draws it up with the patient, explains the reasons, risks, side effects and alternatives, and asks for consent (Art. 433)
- Limits on treatment without consent: only in writing by the chief physician, if the person lacks capacity to judge their need for treatment, serious harm would otherwise follow and no less invasive measure exists (Art. 434)
- Regular review: the adult protection authority reviews a placement within six months, again within the next six months, and then at least once a year (Art. 431)
- Planning for the future: before discharge, the doctor tries to agree with the patient how any future placement should be handled (Art. 436)
Each of these rules is in the Civil Code on Fedlex (Fedlex: Civil Code Art. 431 to 436).
How to appeal
The person concerned, or a close person, can apply in writing to the competent court against a placement ordered by a doctor, being held by the institution, a refused discharge, treatment without consent or restrictions on freedom of movement. The deadline is ten days from notice of the decision; restrictions on freedom of movement can be challenged at any time (Fedlex: Civil Code Art. 439).
The written decision names the court. If you want to help your loved one appeal, act quickly and consider asking a lawyer or a patient advocacy service for support.
How often it happens and how long it lasts
Involuntary placement is not rare in Switzerland. In 2016, Swiss psychiatric hospitals recorded 14,580 admissions under FU, about 1.7 per 1,000 inhabitants and roughly one in five psychiatric hospital cases. Substance-related disorders, mostly alcohol, were the main diagnosis in 17% of them (Obsan, 2018).
Most placements are short. In the same data, 28.4% of FU stays ended within a week and 78.6% within six weeks (Obsan, 2018). Obsan publishes updated figures in its indicator on FU in Swiss psychiatric hospitals (Obsan, 2025). In August 2026 the Federal Council announced that it wants to revise the FU rules, with a draft for consultation planned by summer 2028 (Federal Council, 2026).
What a placement does not do
An FU is a protective measure for an acute situation. It usually leads to a psychiatric hospital, not to a chosen private rehab clinic, and it ends as soon as the conditions are no longer met. Lasting recovery from addiction normally needs treatment the person takes part in: NIDA notes that most people need at least 3 months in treatment to significantly reduce or stop use (NIDA, 2018).
Families often find it helpful to see the placement as a window. The person is safe, sober and in contact with doctors, and that can be the moment to talk about voluntary treatment afterwards. Ask the hospital team about follow-up care before discharge. Our guides on aftercare after Swiss rehab and detox, rehab or psychiatric clinic explain the next steps, and our page on dual diagnosis treatment in Switzerland lists clinics that treat addiction and mental illness together.
Before you take this step
If someone is in immediate danger, call 144 for an ambulance in Switzerland or 112 in the rest of Europe. The Helping Hand helpline on 143 is anonymous and answers day and night (ch.ch, 2026).
If there is time, speak to the family doctor, a psychiatrist or a lawyer first, and look for less restrictive options. Family training such as CRAFT helps many relatives get a loved one who is not ready to accept help into voluntary treatment; our guide on how to help a loved one into rehab explains how it works. Your own wellbeing matters too: SafeZone.ch offers free, anonymous online counselling for relatives (FOPH, 2026).
Related treatment pages
Frequently asked questions
Can a family member order an involuntary admission?
No. Only the adult protection authority or a doctor designated under cantonal law can order a placement. Families can raise their concern with a doctor, an emergency service or the authority.
How long can a doctor's placement last?
As long as cantonal law allows, but no more than six weeks. After that it ends unless the adult protection authority has ordered a placement.
Can the person appeal?
Yes. The person or a close person can apply to the court in writing within ten days of notice of the decision, and can request discharge at any time.
Does an involuntary placement replace rehab?
No. It is a short protective measure, usually in a psychiatric hospital. Longer addiction treatment normally follows on a voluntary basis.
