The Women’s Union of Germany’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU) has proposed a general ban on full face veils in public spaces. The organization plans to present the proposal at the CDU Federal Party Congress at the end of February. The initiative specifically targets garments “that completely or largely cover the face,” including burkas, niqabs, and comparable face veils.
According to a paper released by the Women’s Union, the ban is intended to promote the “self-determination of women” and to oppose “any form of forced veiling.” The same paper argues that permanent face coverings can hinder social integration and contribute to the development of parallel societal structures.
Security concerns are also cited, as the identifiability of individuals in public spaces is important for preventing danger, supporting police work, and ensuring the functioning of state institutions.
Supporters of the proposal expressed confidence that such a ban could withstand legal scrutiny in Germany, pointing to similar regulations in other European countries. For instance, Austria recently passed a law prohibiting headscarves in schools for girls under 14, which applies to both public and private institutions. Under the law, repeated violations trigger meetings between school authorities, students, and parents, and families can face fines from €150 to €800, or in severe cases, up to two weeks in prison. The Austrian law will fully take effect with the start of the 2026/27 school year.
