Austrian Parliament Bans Headscarves for Girls Under 14 in Schools

Austria's parliament approved a nationwide law banning girls under 14 from wearing headscarves that cover the head in accordance with Islamic traditions in public and private schools.

“Austria’s National Council has approved a hijab ban for girls under 14 in schools with broad cross-party support”

5Pillars

Authorities estimate it could affect roughly 10,000-12,000 children and say the law will take full effect in the 2026/27 school year after an introductory awareness phase beginning in February 2026.

5Pillars

The measure was advanced by the conservative-led coalition (ÖVP, SPÖ, Neos) and, according to some reports, included votes from the FPÖ.

Government ministers framed the law as protecting girls from pressure and defending gender equality, while the Greens were the only parliamentary party to oppose the bill.

Enforcement details in the statute include an initial school-level counselling process, involvement of child and youth welfare services for repeated breaches, and fines for guardians of up to €800.

The law establishes a stepped enforcement mechanism.

Schools are to begin with counselling and discussions between school authorities and legal guardians.

Arutz Sheva

Repeat breaches must be reported to child and youth welfare services.

Fines of about €150 to €800 may be imposed on guardians who repeatedly refuse to comply.

Several reports specify a non-punitive awareness phase beginning in February 2026 ahead of full application in September 2026.

At least one legal reporting account states that teachers are not required to enforce the ban themselves but must notify school administration, which will take further action.

The ÖVP–SPÖ–NEOS governing coalition pushed the bill and backed it in parliament, with only the Greens opposing it.

“Muslim headscarves will be illegal for girls under 14 in Austrian schools”

Brussels Signal

The far-right FPÖ said the measure did not go far enough and unsuccessfully sought a broader ban covering all pupils and staff.

Government figures such as Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm and Neos' Yannick Shetty defended the measure as protecting girls' freedoms, while critics — including Austria's Islamic Religious Community (IGGÖ), rights groups and some opposition voices — say the law singling out Islamic head coverings is discriminatory and risks deepening social divisions.

Legal context and expected challenges are a recurring theme.

Multiple reports recall that a previous headscarf restriction for younger schoolgirls was struck down by Austria’s Constitutional Court, noted as 2019 or 2020 in different accounts.

Daily Mail

Austria’s Islamic Religious Community (IGGÖ) has said it will bring a constitutional challenge against the new law.

Some outlets report that the government chose not to attempt to give the law constitutional status, a choice commentators flagged as increasing the likelihood of judicial review.

Human-rights organisations, Muslim community representatives and several commentators warn the law risks normalising anti-Muslim bias, deepening social divisions and pushing girls out of school.

“WATCH: Sarah Pochin explains why she wants to see the Burqa banned in Britain GB NEWS Parents could be hit with heavy fines if their children repeatedly attend school wearing headscarves Austria has joined France in banning headscarves for girls under the age of 14 in schools”

GB News

Government supporters and some media frame the measure as protecting children’s autonomy and resisting gendered pressure.

GB News

Observers situate Austria’s move within a broader European trend of restricting visible religious symbols in schools.

Legal analysts note that the combination of political consensus in parliament and existing court precedent makes the near-term legal outcome uncertain.