Hijab Ban for Girls Under 14 in Austria: Schools Get a “No Exceptions” Order
Austria’s Ministry of Education has begun sending explanatory letters to parents in Arabic, Turkish, and other languages ahead of a planned ban on hijab for girls under 14 in Austrian schools starting in September 2026.
The ministry, led by Minister Christoph Wiederkehr, says the outreach is meant to explain how the new law will be applied in schools, what parents are responsible for, and what penalties may follow if the rules are ignored.
The letters were prepared in 11 languages, including Arabic, Turkish, Bosnian, Persian, Somali, and Urdu, reflecting the large number of non-German-speaking families in Austrian schools—especially in Vienna.
According to the text of the messages, the law will prohibit Islamic-style head coverings on school premises for all female students under the age of 14, regardless of whether they are worn for religious, traditional, or social reasons.
The ministry stressed that schools will not have the authority to overlook the law or grant exceptions, and that implementation will be mandatory across all schools and educational institutions. Parents may face fines of up to €800 for violations.
At the same time, the letters note that decisions about wearing the hijab outside school remain with families, while the ban applies only inside schools and educational buildings. The ministry said the aim is to “protect children” and prevent religious or ideological roles from being imposed at an early age, arguing that schools should remain a place for free intellectual and social development.
The move has triggered political reactions inside Austria, with the Österreichische Volkspartei (ÖVP, Austrian People’s Party) criticizing the use of Arabic and Turkish in the ministry’s communications and calling it a sign of broader integration challenges. The new law follows years of political and legal disputes over headscarves in schools, including the Constitutional Court previously striking down a similar ban passed by an earlier government.