Austria: 98 Reports, 18 Legal Actions Over Headscarf Ban in Vienna Schools — No Fines Yet
Austria: 98 Reports, 18 Legal Actions Over Headscarf Ban in Vienna Schools — No Fines Yet
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Austrian authorities have recorded 98 reports of violations of a ban on headscarves for girls under the age of 14 in Vienna’s schools since the measure took effect in September. Eighteen cases have been referred for legal action, but no fines have been imposed so far, according to official figures reported by Austrian newspaper Heute on October 23, 2026.
Vienna Deputy Mayor and Education Councillor Bettina Emmerling provided the figures in response to a parliamentary inquiry from the Austrian People’s Party (ÖVP). Of the reported cases, 79 occurred in public schools and 19 in private schools. Authorities have summoned the parents of 72 students.
Under the procedures, schools first seek to address alleged violations through discussions involving the student, her parents and school administrators. If the girl continues wearing a headscarf, her family may be required to attend a formal meeting with education authorities.
Parents who fail to comply with the ban after the prescribed procedures could face administrative fines of up to €800 or an alternative prison sentence of up to two weeks, according to the legal provisions cited in the report.
Harald Zierfuß, head of the ÖVP parliamentary group in Vienna, said the initial figures indicated that the ban was beginning to have an effect. He stressed the importance of ensuring that schools remain free from pressure and stigmatization.
