Greece is actively considering restrictions on the burqa and niqab in public spaces, with Migration and Asylum Minister ...

Greece is actively considering restrictions on the burqa and niqab in public spaces, with Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris confirming to parliament that the government is studying legal frameworks already adopted across Europe before deciding on new legislation. The discussion covers only garments that fully conceal the face, not the hijab, which leaves the face visible. Plevris said officials are reviewing both European court rulings and legislation from other states, with courts having recognized that governments hold a degree of discretion when regulating full-face coverings, particularly on grounds of gender equality and public identification. Greek officials have also looked specifically at cases involving minors and accommodation facilities for unaccompanied children. The debate first surfaced in Greece in 2025, when discussions reportedly focused on burqas in universities before expanding into a broader policy question. No final decision or draft law has been announced, and the government's official position is that the matter remains under examination. The momentum across Europe has been building steadily. France and Belgium both banned face coverings in all public spaces back in 2011, followed by Bulgaria in 2016, Austria in 2017, and Denmark in 2018. Switzerland's nationwide ban, passed by referendum, entered into force in 2025, and Portugal signed a similar law just last August. The Netherlands and Germany rely on more limited, location-specific restrictions, while Spain and Sweden have no national ban at all. Italy joined the conversation just two days ago, on September 20, when Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced plans to ban burqas and niqabs in schools, pending parliamentary approval. For Greece, the central question is whether the country goes for a full public-space prohibition or a narrower, location-based approach like the Dutch model. #Greece #BurqaBan #Europe