Austria Bans Headscarves in Schools for Children Under 14

Austria has enacted a law prohibiting girls under the age of 14 from wearing headscarves in schools, sparking debate over religious freedom and gender equality.

The move, championed by the conservative coalition comprising the ÖVP, SPÖ, and Neos parties, is presented as a measure to empower young girls and protect them from potential oppression. However, critics fear the law will exacerbate anti-Muslim sentiment and faces potential legal challenges.

The ban applies to all schools, both public and private, and specifically targets traditional Muslim head coverings like hijabs and burkas. This is not the first attempt at such legislation; a similar ban for girls under 10 was overturned by the Constitutional Court in 2020 for singling out Muslims.

According to the new regulations, students found in violation will first engage in discussions with school officials and their parents or guardians. Repeated breaches could lead to notification of the child and youth welfare agency, and ultimately, fines of up to €800 (approximately £700) for families.

Yannick Shetty, parliamentary leader of the Neos party, emphasized that the law isn’t aimed at any particular religion. “It is a measure to protect the freedom of girls in this country,” he stated, adding that around 12,000 children will be affected.

The far-right Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ), while supporting the ban, argued it didn’t go far enough. Ricarda Berger, the FPÖ’s spokesperson on families, said, “There needs to be a general ban on headscarves in schools; political Islam has no place here.”

Opposition to the law is also strong. Sigrid Maurer of the Green party has labelled it “clearly unconstitutional.” The Islamic Community in Austria (IGGÖ) released a statement condemning the ban as a violation of fundamental rights that will lead to the stigmatization and marginalization of young Muslim girls.

“Instead of empowering children, they will be stigmatised and marginalised,” the IGGÖ stated. The organization intends to challenge the law’s constitutionality and “take all necessary steps.” They also pointed to the 2020 Constitutional Court ruling, which deemed a similar ban unconstitutional due to its targeting of a religious minority.

Shetty acknowledged the potential for a constitutional challenge, saying, “Will it pass muster with the Constitutional Court? I don’t know. We have done our best.”

The law will undergo a trial period starting in February 2026, before being fully enforced at the beginning of the new school year in September 2026.

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