Rome, September 21 (Daily Kiran) : Italy is poised to join the ranks of European nations imposing bans on burqas, as Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced plans to prohibit such garments in schools. This initiative is part of a broader effort to limit the number of foreign students in classrooms and to require their parents to learn Italian to better understand the country’s culture and laws.
Meloni made this announcement during a youth event of her party, Brothers of Italy, stating, “A proposal related to these measures will soon be presented to the Cabinet. Those coming to Italy should learn the language, understand the culture, and respect the laws.”
The proposed regulations specifically target full-face coverings, such as the burqa and niqab, while allowing headscarves that leave the face exposed. Currently, foreign students make up approximately 11.6% of total enrollment in Italian schools. The government is also preparing to set a legal limit on the number of foreign students allowed per class, although Meloni has not yet clarified what that limit will be.
Italy’s discussion around face-covering bans is not entirely new. A law from 1975 addresses headgear or clothing that obscures a person’s identity in public spaces. However, a nationwide ban on burqas and niqabs has not yet been established. The new proposal will require parliamentary approval to become law.
Several European countries have already implemented varying degrees of restrictions on face coverings in public spaces. France enacted a comprehensive ban on face coverings in public in April 2011, while Belgium did the same later that year. Bulgaria has prohibited full-face veils in government and educational institutions since 2016.
Austria introduced a ban on face coverings in public places in 2017, and Denmark followed suit in 2018. In the Netherlands, a partial ban has been in effect since 2019, affecting schools, hospitals, and public transport. Switzerland implemented a federal ban on face coverings in public places in 2023, while Portugal passed a similar law in August 2026.
Germany does not have a nationwide ban, but federal law restricts face coverings for certain public employees, judges, and military personnel. Various states have their own rules regarding schools and universities.
The landscape of face-covering regulations in Europe is diverse. Some countries enforce comprehensive bans in all public sectors, while others limit restrictions to specific environments like schools, hospitals, and government institutions. Additionally, some nations provide extensive constitutional protections for religious attire.
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