Austria’s lower house of parliament has overwhelmingly approved a controversial new law banning girls under the age of 14 from wearing headscarves in all public and private schools, intensifying debate at home and abroad over religious freedom and discrimination.
The legislation was passed with the support of the ruling centrist coalition, which includes the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP), the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), and the liberal Neos. Lawmakers backing the measure framed it as a step to protect young girls and promote gender equality.
Under the new law, prohibited items are defined as head coverings worn “in accordance with Islamic traditions,” explicitly including hijabs and burqas. The ban applies across the education system, covering both state-run and private institutions.
Austria’s Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm of the ÖVP defended the law by arguing that headscarves imposed on minors symbolize patriarchal control. She said such garments restrict girls’ freedom before they are old enough to make independent decisions about faith and identity.
In Austria, individuals are legally allowed to choose their religion at the age of 14. Supporters of the ban say this threshold is central to the legislation, insisting that children should not face religious pressure before reaching legal maturity.
Neos parliamentary leader Yannick Shetty echoed this argument, stressing that the measure is not meant to target Islam. Instead, he said, it aims to ensure children grow up free from coercion until they are capable of making their own informed choices.
The bill also received backing from the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ), despite its opposition status. FPÖ lawmaker Ricarda Berger described the ban as only a “first step,” calling for a much broader prohibition.
Berger argued that headscarves should be banned for older students and even school staff. She framed her stance as part of a broader effort to combat what she described as “political Islam” within Austrian society.
The Green Party stood alone in opposing the legislation. Green lawmaker Sigrid Maurer warned that the law is “clearly unconstitutional” and violates Austria’s commitment to equality and religious neutrality.
Maurer argued that by singling out Islamic dress, the law selectively targets one religious group. She said this undermines the principle that the state should remain neutral in matters of belief.
Human rights organizations and Muslim groups have also strongly criticized the decision. Amnesty International Austria condemned the ban, warning that it risks stigmatizing Muslim girls rather than protecting them.
The Islamic Religious Community in Austria (IGGÖ) said the law infringes on freedom of religion and parental rights. Academic experts, including Georgetown University scholar Farid Hafez, described the move as discriminatory and Islamophobic.
Critics estimate that around 12,000 Muslim girls across Austria could be affected by the ban. They argue that excluding religious expression from schools may deepen feelings of marginalization among already vulnerable communities.
Opponents also point to Austria’s recent legal history. A previous headscarf ban for children under 10, introduced between 2019 and 2020, was struck down by the Constitutional Court.
At the time, judges ruled that the earlier ban violated equality and religious neutrality because it disproportionately targeted Muslim children. Legal experts now question whether the new law can survive similar scrutiny.
The government has outlined a phased implementation plan. An initial “awareness phase” will begin in February 2026, focusing on dialogue with schools, parents, and communities.
Full enforcement is scheduled for September 2026, aligning with the start of the new school year. Parents who violate the law could face fines ranging from €150 to €800, with higher penalties for repeat offenses.
Authorities have said that early cases will prioritize discussion over punishment. However, critics remain concerned about the long-term impact on trust between Muslim communities and state institutions.
The IGGÖ has already announced plans to challenge the law in court. The group argues that the ban violates fundamental rights enshrined in Austria’s constitution and European human rights law.
The decision comes amid growing debates in Austria over immigration, integration, and secularism. With anti-immigration sentiment rising across Europe, the headscarf ban has once again placed Austria at the center of the continent’s cultural and political fault lines.