In an electrolysis cell with anodes and cathodes which are provided with openings, the cathode chamber is separated from the anode chamber by a diaphragm. The latter consists of a porous layer of oxides or oxidic compounds of the elements of sub-group 4B of the periodic table, of aluminum, of the rare earths or of chromium. The diaphragm is applied to that side of one of the electrodes which faces the counter-electrode.