Italy’s ruling Brothers of Italy party has tabled a sweeping new bill seeking to outlaw Islamic face coverings such as the burqa and niqab in all public spaces, as part of what it calls a campaign against “cultural separatism.”
The legislation is introduced on Wednesday by lawmakers from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s party and proposes a nationwide ban on garments that conceal the face in public places including schools, universities, shops, and government offices.
Those found violating the rule could face fines ranging from €300 to €3,000 ($350–$3,500).
According to the draft, the initiative aims to curb “religious radicalisation and hate-driven extremism.” The burqa is a full-body covering that includes a mesh over the eyes, while the niqab veils the face but leaves the eyes visible.
Italy’s move mirrors similar restrictions across Europe. France became the first country to impose a full public burqa ban in 2011, followed by Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and several others.
The European Court of Human Rights has repeatedly upheld such bans, saying they protect the principle of “living together” in society. Some Italian regions already have prohibitions. Lombardy, for instance, has barred covered faces in public offices and hospitals since 2015.
Beyond the clothing ban, the new bill also targets the financing of religious organisations not formally recognised by the Italian state. Since no Islamic group currently holds official status, they would be required to disclose all sources of funding, which must come only from entities deemed safe for national security.
The proposal further criminalises practices such as virginity testing and expands punishments for forced marriages, particularly those involving religious coercion.
Earlier this year, Meloni’s coalition partner, the League, introduced a narrower bill focused solely on face coverings. Lawmakers have yet to decide whether that measure will be merged with the broader proposal.
With the ruling coalition commanding a comfortable parliamentary majority, the legislation is expected to gain strong support, though no exact timeline for its debate has been announced.
