Austria’s Constitutional Court announced it will deliver a verdict on the recently implemented ban on Muslim headscarves for children under 14 attending schools during the first half of 2027. This decision follows a legal challenge brought by affected pupils and their families.
The ban was introduced by Austria’s ruling coalition, composed of three centrist parties, and was approved in the lower house of parliament in December with backing from the far-right Freedom Party. The only party opposing the legislation was the Greens, the smallest faction in parliament.
Despite the ban taking effect on September 1, its future remains uncertain as the court reviews its legality. Notably, in 2020, the court invalidated a similar prohibition targeting children under 10, ruling it discriminatory against Muslims and emphasizing the state’s obligation to maintain religious neutrality.
The Constitutional Court highlighted that female students aged 9 to 12, along with their parents, have contested the ban, claiming it infringes on their religious freedom and violates the principle of equality before the law. The court expects to announce its ruling within the first half of 2027.
Under the current legislation, schools are required to engage in discussions with any student who refuses to comply with the ban. If non-compliance continues, fines ranging from €150 to €800 (approximately $172 to $918) may be imposed.
The ban has faced opposition from human rights organizations, left-wing political groups, and the official body representing Austria’s Muslim community.
Education Minister Christoph Wiederkehr reported to the national broadcaster ORF that around 80 cases of students violating the ban have been recorded nationwide. He remarked that this number is lower than initially anticipated.
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