Austria Bans Headscarves for Young Schoolgirls; Legal Fight Expected

Austria now bans girls under 14 from wearing headscarves at any school, starting September 1, 2026. Lawmakers across the political spectrum backed it. Teachers must talk with families who don't comply; repeated refusal can lead to child-welfare involvement and fines up to €800. Muslim groups plan to challenge the law in Austria's highest court, pointing to a 2020 decision that overturned a similar but narrower ban.