On Thursday, Portugal joined a growing list of European countries that have banned or restricted burqas and other face coverings in public spaces.
But the rules vary widely across the continent.
Euronews analyzed how different European countries regulate face coverings.
France was a pioneer in banning face coverings in Europe
France became the first European country to ban full-face coverings in public spaces in 2011.
Violations may result in fines or mandatory civic education.
The French government argued that face coverings prevent people from being clearly identified, posing potential security risks and hindering social interaction in a society where facial recognition and expression play an important role in communication.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, questions were raised about whether protective face masks were compatible with the ban.
Authorities later clarified that masks were allowed under existing health and safety exemptions.
Belgium: Fines and prison for violations
In Belgium, the ban dates back to 2011, and violators face fines or up to seven days in prison.
Alongside France, Belgium was one of the first European countries to introduce such restrictions, citing public safety and social integration.
The law aims to facilitate communication and prevent people from hiding their identities in public spaces, measures that Belgian authorities have defended as essential to ensuring the full participation of all citizens in society.
Bulgaria: Full-face veils restricted to private spaces
The wearing of burqas and other full-face veils has been banned in public spaces in Bulgaria since September 2016 and is restricted to private homes and places of worship.
Muslims make up about 12% of Bulgaria’s population.
Austria: Face veil ban extends to schools
In Austria, a ban on full-face veils, including the burqa and niqab, came into effect in 2017 under legislation known as the “Anti-Face Covering Act”.
The measure was introduced for security and integration reasons, with authorities arguing that face coverings hinder communication and social cohesion.
Additionally, in 2025, the Austrian parliament passed a law banning Islamic headscarves for girls under the age of 14 in schools.
The ban clearly refers to “the headscarf that covers the head in accordance with Islamic tradition.”
Denmark: A general ban on face coverings
Denmark passed a complete ban on face coverings in all public places in 2018.
The law, which bans any clothing that conceals the face – including burqas and niqabs – has been justified primarily on the grounds of public identification and social transparency.
Netherlands: Partial restrictions on key institutions
In the Netherlands, a 2019 law restricts face coverings to certain public settings – such as schools, hospitals and public transport – where clear communication and identification are considered essential.
Although not a complete ban, it reflects a growing trend towards regulating religious expression in state spaces.
Germany: A fragmented approach to face-covering bans
Germany has followed a fragmented approach, with some states introducing partial bans in schools and public spaces for safety and communication reasons.
Specific restrictions also apply to certain professions and everyday situations.
While some regions consider such bans necessary to promote integration and social cohesion, others fear that they could isolate certain communities and undermine social inclusion.
Luxembourg: Full-face veils restricted in public institutions
In Luxembourg, a law restricting the wearing of full-face veils came into effect in the spring of 2018.
Face coverings are prohibited on public transport, in schools and school premises, in facilities for children under 16 years of age, hospitals, common areas of nursing homes, including corridors and elevators, as well as in court buildings and public administration facilities open to the public.
Spain: Legal silence, local discretion
Spain has no national legislation on this issue, leaving decisions to the discretion of schools and institutions.
In 2013, the Supreme Court upheld a decision by a high school in Madrid to expel a student who wore a hijab, setting a precedent but not a standard.
While Islamic groups have stressed that the Spanish Constitution and a 1992 cooperation agreement together protect the right to wear religious clothing, the Ministry of Education has not given priority to national guidelines, arguing that such cases are rare and manageable at the local level.
Portugal: Legal neutrality, selective application
Portugal does not explicitly ban religious symbols, but allows institutions – both public and private – to implement neutral dress codes, as long as these are applied uniformly.
The goal is to protect employees from religious pressure, while ensuring that workplaces remain ideologically neutral.
Italy: A law from another era
Italy does not have a specific ban on religious dress, but a 1975 law prohibits covering the face in public.
Although initially unrelated to religious dress, this law has been used from time to time to restrict the niqab and burqa in certain public or security-sensitive settings.
Sweden: Freedom first, local opposition
Sweden has no national ban on religious clothing, and the veil remains permitted in all public life. The national approach favors individual rights, although some municipalities have tried to impose specific restrictions on schools, citing integration and gender equality. These moves have sparked debate but have not yet reshaped national policy.
Greece: Legal protection with practical limitations
Greek law provides strong protection against discrimination based on religion in all employment and public services. However, practice has sometimes told a more complicated story. In one 2022 case, a hospital banned a nursing student from wearing a headscarf during her internship, citing uniform regulations.
The Greek Ombudsman ruled that the policy did not violate anti-discrimination laws, defining it as a matter of dress code and not a religious issue.
Restrictions on face or body coverings, varying in scope and degree, are also in place in countries on several continents, including China, Australia, Russia, Canada, Sri Lanka, Gabon, Chad, Senegal, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Morocco, Algeria and others.