Vienna: Austria has reinstated a ban on school headscarves for girls under 14, introducing a new law to replace the previous measure overturned for discrimination against Muslim students.
The legislation, passed with strong cross-party backing, prohibits girls from wearing headscarves that cover the head in accordance with Islamic tradition in all schools. After an initial introductory period, families that repeatedly violate the rules will face fines ranging from € 150 to € 800.
The new ban replaces a 2019 law that targeted headscarves for girls under the age of 10. That measure was overturned by Austria’s Constitutional Court in 2020, which ruled that singling out the Islamic headscarf violated the state’s obligation to remain religiously neutral.
The government says the revised legislation has been drafted more carefully to withstand judicial scrutiny. It was introduced by the three-party centrist coalition and supported by the far-right Freedom Party, which argued the measure should have gone further and applied to all students and school staff. The Greens were the only party to oppose the bill.
Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm of the conservative People’s Party described headscarves for minors as a form of oppression. Yannick Shetty, parliamentary leader of the liberal Neos, said the practice places inappropriate expectations on young girls.
But rights groups and Muslim organisations condemned the decision. Amnesty International warned that the ban would deepen hostile attitudes toward Muslims. IGGOe, the official representative body for Austria’s Muslim communities, said the law undermines social cohesion and risks isolating affected girls rather than empowering them. Women’s rights advocates also argued that the measure sends harmful signals about bodily autonomy.
Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr acknowledged tensions in some communities, saying girls are increasingly pressured by relatives and peers over religious expectations. The Greens called instead for intervention teams involving educators, social workers, and Muslim community representatives to help schools manage cultural conflicts without blanket restrictions.
Under the new rules, schools will first carry out an information campaign for educators, parents, and students. Penalties will only apply after this introductory period. Government officials estimate that about 12,000 girls nationwide will be affected when the ban comes into force in February.
