Austria Moves Ahead With School Headscarf Ban for Girls Under 14
20th November 2025
Austria’s government has approved a draft law to ban Islamic headscarves for girls up to the age of 14, with the measure scheduled to come into force in schools from the 2026 academic year. The Council of Ministers signed off on the proposal on Wednesday, ahead of a parliamentary vote expected in December.
The ban will apply to all forms of Islamic head coverings—including the hijab and the burqa—across the entire school premises, including lessons, breaks, and sports activities. Schools would be required to hold meetings with pupils and parents after repeated violations, with further cases reported to child and youth welfare services. Parents could face fines of €150 to €800 or up to two weeks in prison in severe cases.