Anti-Face-Covering Act

The Austrian Government has - as part of the social cohesion and integration package - decided on the Anti-Face-Covering Act. The law will enter into force on October 1st 2017. Following the introduction of the law, covering your face in public, e.g. with a Burqa or Niqab is subject to an administrative penalty of up to € 150.00, which may be imposed by police agents. Covering your hair, for instance, with a Hijab or a Ghutrah, however is still allowed.