Italy's ruling party proposes nationwide ban on burqa, face coverings in public

The bill, presented to parliament by lawmakers from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party, would prohibit garments covering the face in public areas, including schools, offices, universities, shops, and government buildings.

Violations could lead to fines ranging from €300 to €3,000 ($350–$3,500). The proposal’s introduction text said the law was aimed at countering “religious radicalisation and religiously motivated hatred.”

The burqa is a full-body covering that includes a mesh screen over the eyes, while the niqab leaves the eyes visible but conceals the rest of the face.

France became the first European country to impose a complete public ban on burqas in 2011, with Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and several others following suit.

The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly upheld such bans, citing the need to protect “living together” and public cohesion.

Some Italian regions, such as Lombardy, already restrict face coverings in certain public buildings. The new bill would extend these rules nationwide.

Beyond face coverings

The proposed law also introduces financial transparency measures for religious organisations that do not have formal agreements with the Italian state.

Currently, no Muslim organisations hold such recognition, unlike 13 other religious groups, meaning Islamic associations would be required to disclose all funding sources and ensure financing poses “no threat to state security.”

The legislation further proposes criminal penalties for virginity testing and harsher punishments for forced marriages, adding “religious coercion” as a prosecutable factor.

Meloni’s coalition partner, the League, had earlier advanced a more limited face-covering bill, now under parliamentary review. It remains unclear whether the two proposals will be merged.

With Meloni’s coalition holding a strong majority in parliament, the legislation is likely to pass, though no debate schedule has been set.