An apparatus for making beverages by passing hot water in a capsule containing a food substance, comprising: an extraction unit in which an extraction chamber is made in which, in use, a capsule, can be inserted, the extraction unit in turn comprising a first part and a second part, which are movable, at least one relative to the other, between a home position in which they are at a distance from one another and allow the positioning of a capsule, between them and in which the extraction chamber is open, and an extraction position in which they are coupled together and close the extraction chamber; retaining means for retaining the capsule, between the first part and the second part when said parts are in the home position and during at least part of their shifting from the home position to the extraction position; an insertion duct for insertion of the capsule, comprising a vertical main extension component and extending from an infeed section to the retaining means, the insertion duct forming the final stretch of a path for insertion of the capsules, in the apparatus; a closing element positioned at the infeed section and movable between a closed position in which it prevents the transit of a capsule, through the infeed section and a disengaged position in which it allows the transit of a capsule,; means for making a beverage for, in use, making hot water circulate through a capsule, contained in the closed extraction chamber, thereby causing the beverage to be formed, and for supplying the beverage to the outside of the apparatus; and at least one first supporting element positioned along the insertion path, upstream of the infeed section, for supporting a second capsule outside the extraction unit while a first capsule is positioned at the extraction chamber, the first supporting element being switchable between an active configuration in which it can support a capsule, and an inactive configuration in which a capsule, positioned at it can freely advance towards the infeed section; characterized in that: the closing element is operatively connected to the extraction unit so that it is positioned in the closed position when the first part and the second part are in the extraction position, and in the disengaged position when the first part and the second part are in the home position; the first supporting element is in the inactive configuration when the first part and the second part are in the extraction position; and during the shifting of the first part and of the second part from the home position to the extraction position, and of the closing element from the disengaged position to the closed position, one of either the first part or the second part, or the closing element, mechanically acts on the first supporting element to switch it from the active configuration to the inactive configuration. an extraction unit in which an extraction chamber is made in which, in use, a capsule, can be inserted, the extraction unit in turn comprising a first part and a second part, which are movable, at least one relative to the other, between a home position in which they are at a distance from one another and allow the positioning of a capsule, between them and in which the extraction chamber is open, and an extraction position in which they are coupled together and close the extraction chamber; retaining means for retaining the capsule, between the first part and the second part when said parts are in the home position and during at least part of their shifting from the home position to the extraction position; an insertion duct for insertion of the capsule, comprising a vertical main extension component and extending from an infeed section to the retaining means, the insertion duct forming the final stretch of a path for insertion of the capsules, in the apparatus; a closing element positioned at the infeed section and movable between a closed position in which it prevents the transit of a capsule, through the infeed section and a disengaged position in which it allows the transit of a capsule,; means for making a beverage for, in use, making hot water circulate through a capsule, contained in the closed extraction chamber, thereby causing the beverage to be formed, and for supplying the beverage to the outside of the apparatus; and at least one first supporting element positioned along the insertion path, upstream of the infeed section, for supporting a second capsule outside the extraction unit while a first capsule is positioned at the extraction chamber, the first supporting element being switchable between an active configuration in which it can support a capsule, and an inactive configuration in which a capsule, positioned at it can freely advance towards the infeed section; the closing element is operatively connected to the extraction unit so that it is positioned in the closed position when the first part and the second part are in the extraction position, and in the disengaged position when the first part and the second part are in the home position; the first supporting element is in the inactive configuration when the first part and the second part are in the extraction position; and during the shifting of the first part and of the second part from the home position to the extraction position, and of the closing element from the disengaged position to the closed position, one of either the first part or the second part, or the closing element, mechanically acts on the first supporting element to switch it from the active configuration to the inactive configuration.