Austria bans headscarves in schools, fines of up to 800 euros for non-compliance

The Austrian parliament has passed a law banning headscarves in schools for girls under the age of 14.

Only the opposition Greens voted against it. Human rights organizations described the ban as discriminatory and warned it could exacerbate social divisions.

The ban will come into full force at the start of the new school year in September 2026, Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm said.

A first phase is planned to begin in February, during which teachers, parents and children will be informed of the ban without imposing any penalties.

Parents will then face fines of between 150 and 800 euros for violations. According to the government, approximately 12,000 girls will be affected by the new law.Indeksonline/