Austria Bans Headscarves for Girls Under 14
The new school year in Austria begins with a ban on headscarves for girls under 14. The law is supported by the ruling parties, but resistance is expected both in schools and on the streets.
The new school year in Austria begins with a ban on headscarves for girls under 14. The law is supported by the ruling parties, but resistance is expected both in schools and on the streets.
Austria is introducing a ban on head coverings for girls under 14 just before the start of the new school year, and the enforcement of this regulation could spark new tensions in educational institutions. The law is supported by the ruling parties ÖVP, SPÖ, and NEOS, as well as the opposition FPÖ, while Muslim associations, some religious communities, and civil organizations are against it.
This ban is not Austria's first attempt to restrict the wearing of Islamic headscarves in schools. A similar regulation from 2019, enacted under the ÖVP-FPÖ government, was overturned by the Constitutional Court, which deemed it a violation of the state's principle of religious neutrality.
The current ban is already the subject of legal disputes. In July 2026, the Constitutional Court rejected requests for review because the law had not yet come into force. As a result, the court could not assess its constitutionality. After the start of classes and any initial fines, the possibility of filing a constitutional complaint could reopen.
Particular pressure is expected on teachers. The education union emphasizes that teachers will be the first to face the consequences and will have to react when a student violates the ban.
The Ministry of Education, led by Minister Christoph Wiederkehr from NEOS, claims that preparations for implementing the law have been underway for several months. If a teacher notices a student wearing a headscarf, they are obliged to warn her about the ban and ask her to remove it. If she refuses, the case is referred to the school administration.
Teachers who do not follow the prescribed procedure could face consequences for dereliction of duty.
After a report, the school administration is required to hold a conversation with the student and her parents. The ministry emphasizes the importance of a calm and factual discussion aimed at de-escalating the situation. Parents should be given informational materials about the law, and according to Austrian media, these materials are being translated into Arabic, Turkish, and Farsi.
If the violation continues, the competent education authority becomes involved. After a fifth offense, the case must be reported, with fines ranging from 150 to 800 euros.
Austrian authorities also fear organized resistance. According to the Austrian media outlet Heute, some Islamist influencers have been calling for resistance to the ban on social media for months, and similar calls have been made in the past.
Thus, the start of the school year could be the first major challenge for enforcing the new law. In addition to reactions from students and parents, authorities must also reckon with potential new legal proceedings that could reopen the question of the ban's constitutionality.
