Italy Plans Burqa and Niqab Ban in Schools

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced a plan on 20 September 2026 to ban burqas and niqabs in Italian schools. The proposed measure also includes a cap on the number of foreign students in classrooms and a requirement for some parents of foreign students to learn Italian.

Proposed School Dress Restrictions

The proposal covers the burqa, which is a full-body covering with a face veil, and the niqab, which leaves only the eyes visible. Meloni did not mention the hijab in her statement, although some accounts of the proposal have referred to it as well.

Legal Basis and Legislative Process

Italy does not have a specific national law that bans burqas or niqabs in schools or public places. A 1975 Italian law prohibits garments that hinder identification without a valid justification. The new measure will be placed before the Council of Ministers and, after government approval, will require parliamentary approval within 60 days to become law.

Foreign Students and Integration Rules

The same measure requires parents of foreign students with serious integration difficulties in the Italian school system to learn Italian. Foreign students made up just under 12% of pupils in Italian schools in the 2023-24 academic year, according to ISTAT data.

Important Facts for Exams

• The burqa covers the entire body and includes a mesh screen over the face.
• The niqab covers the face and leaves only the eyes visible.
• The hijab is a headscarf that covers the hair and neck but not the face.
• Italy’s Council of Ministers is the cabinet that approves government measures before they go to Parliament.

Political Context

Meloni made the announcement at the Fenix youth festival in Rome, which was organised by her nationalist conservative Brothers of Italy party. The party is led by Giorgia Meloni and forms the core of Italy’s governing coalition.