OBJECTIVES: The new act on developing of the Hungarian health care system – came into effect on the 1st of April 2007 cut the number of hospital beds significantly in Hungary and the National Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology (OPNI) was closed. The aim of our paper is to analyze the effect of 2007 Hungarian health care reform on the number of psychiatric care hospital beds at regional level. METHODS: Data were derived from the nationwide administrative dataset of the National Health Insurance Fund Administration (OEP), the only health care financing agency in Hungary. We carefully review the formal legislation and informal background papers related to this issue. The number of hospital beds was evaluated before and after 1st of April 2007. RESULTS: We found significant regional differences in the number of acute care psychiatric beds according to counties in Hungary. The number of acute psychiatric hospital beds per 10,000 inhabitants was the highest in the following counties: Békés 4.56; Szabolcs-Sz-B 4.18; Komárom-E 3.67; Budapest 3.56. The number of acute psychiatric hospital beds per 10,000 inhabitants was the lowest in the following counties: Zala 1.69; Somogy 1.50; Heves 1.48; J-N-Szolnok 1.36; Vas 1.13. CONCLUSIONS: Following the 2007 hospital bed reform in Hungary, there is a 4 times differences in the number of acute care psychiatric beds among the Hungarian counties. We did not find any reasonable consideration or explanation behind that fact.