Austria prepares to ban Sharia law in all legal proceedings

WISE NEWS PRESS / VIENNA, AUSTRIA

The Austrian government is currently drafting a new legislative framework to completely prohibit the application of Sharia law within all legal and judicial processes, including private arbitration.

While Sharia provisions are not directly integrated into the Austrian legal system, current laws allow parties in private contracts to determine which law applies to their disputes. This has enabled some arbitration panels to consider Islamic law based on the parties' preferences. However, a major debate was ignited in the summer of 2025 after a ruling by the Vienna Regional Court utilized Sharia law as a basis for a decision regarding a property dispute. Legal experts and officials criticized the ruling as a "scandalous precedent" that conflicts with Austria's fundamental values.

Government response to court precedent

The ruling prompted immediate action from the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP), led by General Secretary Christian Stocker. During a two-day strategy meeting, the governing coalition addressed the need for legal barriers to prevent Islamic law from finding any place within the Austrian legal order. The ÖVP argues that the recent court decision necessitates an urgent legislative fix to ensure that national laws remain the sole authority in all disputes, including those settled through mediation or arbitration.

"Symbolic politics" and expert criticism

The government's move has faced significant criticism from political scientists and legal experts who view the step as a political maneuver. Political scientist Kathrin Stainer-Hämmerle told the newspaper Der Standard that the ÖVP’s initiative is likely an attempt to halt the rising popularity of the far-right Freedom Party (FPÖ). Stainer-Hämmerle described the regulation as "cheap politics," arguing that it serves as a symbolic gesture that may fuel prejudices against the Muslim community rather than addressing a systemic legal issue.

Tightening regulations on migration and religious symbols

This legislative push follows a broader trend of the current three-party coalition taking a stricter stance on migration and Islamic symbols. Recently, a ban on headscarves for female students under the age of 14 went into effect across the country. The specifics of the new Sharia prohibition, including its full scope and enforcement mechanisms, are expected to be clarified in the coming days as the government finalizes the draft.

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