Austria introduces school headscarf ban and new student rules

Austria is implementing significant changes to its school system for the 2026/27 academic year. A primary focus is a new ban on headscarves for girls under the age of 14 in both public and private schools. The regulation targets headcoverings worn according to Islamic traditions. If a student refuses to remove the headscarf, school authorities will initiate a process involving parents and, eventually, educational authorities. Persistent violations may result in fines for parents ranging from 150 to 800 euros, or even a two-week prison sentence in lieu of payment.

Additionally, the government is introducing mandatory reintegration support for suspended students. Instead of being excluded from organized instruction, suspended students must participate in a support program (Suspendierungsbegleitung) involving 8 to 20 hours of weekly support. Parents are legally obligated to cooperate in this reintegration process.

Other reforms include autonomous German language promotion concepts in half of compulsory schools, the 'Chancenbonus' project providing extra personnel to 400 schools, and the publication of school performance data starting in October.