Austrian officials have announced plans to prohibit girls younger than 14 from wearing Islamic headscarves in educational settings, with the policy scheduled to take effect during the 2026/2027 academic year.
Integration Minister Claudia Plakolm and State Secretary Jorg Leichtfried outlined the proposed legislation on Thursday, describing the measure as a protective action for young girls’ development. According to Plakolm, such religious garments on children represent a form of control that can negatively impact self-image and confidence.
The initiative, which requires parliamentary approval, would extend to all educational institutions—both government-run and private—including classrooms, recreational areas, and athletic facilities. School-sponsored events held at external venues would be exempt from the restriction.
Implementation Timeline
Officials plan a phased rollout beginning with an educational period in February 2026. During this awareness stage, schools will inform families and students about the upcoming requirements. Enforcement mechanisms will activate when the new school year begins in September 2026.
The compliance framework includes graduated interventions. Initial violations would prompt school administrators to meet with the student and her family. Persistent non-compliance could escalate to involvement from district education authorities and, ultimately, youth welfare services. In severe cases, parents may face monetary penalties ranging from £130 to £700 or potential imprisonment of up to two weeks.
Policy Justification and Context
Government representatives cite a significant demographic shift since 2019, when similar legislation was first proposed. The number of Muslim girls under 14 in Austrian schools has reportedly increased from 3,000 to 12,000, prompting renewed interest in the policy.
Plakolm has distinguished between religious symbols, arguing that unlike crosses, headscarves carry connotations of restriction. She and her colleagues frame the ban as safeguarding children’s autonomy and ensuring educational environments remain free from external pressures that might constrain personal development.
“Girls should be able to grow up freely, visibly, and self-confidently in our country,” Plakolm stated publicly.
Opposition and Legal Concerns
The Islamic Religious Community in Austria has condemned the proposal, characterizing it as politically motivated action that disregards children’s interests and democratic principles. The organization noted that officials dismissed collaborative efforts to develop constitutionally sound alternatives.
This marks Austria’s second attempt at such legislation. The country’s highest court invalidated a similar 2019 measure, determining it violated constitutional protections for religious expression. However, the current governing coalition—comprising the OVP, Social Democratic Party, and NEOS—expresses confidence their revised approach will withstand judicial review.
The debate highlights ongoing tensions between religious freedom protections and state intervention in matters involving minors, with officials asserting that parental rights to religious instruction have limits when children’s well-being is at stake.RetryClaude can make mistakes. Please double-check responses.
