Austria has officially enforced a law banning Islamic headscarves for girls under 14 in both public and private schools as the new academic year began on September 7, 2026.
The law targets traditional Muslim head coverings such as hijabs and burkas. Integration Minister Claudia Bauer defended the measure, describing the headscarf as a symbol of control and claiming the ban is intended to protect young girls and promote gender equality.
However, the Official Islamic Community in Austria (IGGÖ) strongly opposed the measure, stating that it infringes on religious freedom and unfairly targets Muslim students. The group has pledged to support legal challenges before the Constitutional Court, which previously overturned a similar primary school ban in 2020.
Under the new rules, teachers are required to hold talks with students and guardians who violate the ban. Repeated non-compliance could lead to child services intervention and fines of up to €800 for parents.
