Austria - December 2025

On 11 December, Parliament approved a law banning girls under 14 from wearing headscarves in public and private schools. The coalition government says the law promotes gender equality and protects children from coercion, patriarchy and sexualization, citing reports that girls’ autonomy is being pressured by social forces. Violation of the law leads to an initial meeting with school officials and guardians, while repeated violations must be reported to youth services and may incur fines of up to EUR 800. The ban is expected to affect about 12,000 minors. A trial phase starts in February 2026, and the ban is set to take effect in September with the new school year. The Islamic Faith Community (IGGÖ) plans to file a constitutional complaint, citing protections for religious freedom under Austria’s constitution and the ECHR. In 2020, the Constitutional Court struck down a similar ban for girls under 10 as discriminatory and in violation of equality and religious freedom.

Sources: Parlament Österreich (1), Parlament Österreich (2), Euronews, ORF, Verfassungsblog (1), Verfassungsblog (2)