Austria has adopted a law that prohibits the wearing of the Islamic veil in schools for girls under 14 years old, sparking controversy and criticism regarding its constitutionality.

Austria has adopted a law that prohibits the wearing of the Islamic veil in schools for girls under the age of 14, a measure supported by the conservative coalition OVP, SPO, and Neos, which considers it a commitment to gender equality. Critics, including the official Islamic community in Austria, IGGO, argue that the law will fuel anti-Muslim sentiments and is unconstitutional, given that a similar ban was overturned in 2020 by the Constitutional Court. The law will apply in public and private schools, and in case of violations, students will be subjected to discussions with authorities, and families may be fined.

The government argues that the measure empowers girls and protects them from oppression, while the far-right opposition FPO believes that the ban should be extended. The law will come into effect in September 2026, and a trial period for raising public awareness will begin in February 2026.