Der Streit um Gesichtsverhüllung in der Öffentlichkeit geht in der Schweiz weiter. – Instagram

A woman in Switzerland has contested a 100 Swiss franc fine issued for wearing a burka in public, highlighting ongoing disputes over the country’s ban on face coverings.

The fine was issued under a law that became effective on January 1, 2025, which prohibits the covering of the face in publicly accessible locations. The woman has not accepted the decision regarding the penalty.

Legal Framework and Penalties

The Federal Council determined that violations of the face-covering ban should generally be handled through a simplified fine procedure. In these cases, the standard fine is 100 Swiss francs, a measure intended to keep administrative costs low.

A higher penalty framework exists for those who refuse to pay the initial fine. In such instances, the maximum fine can reach 1,000 Swiss francs.

Scope and Exemptions

The law does not apply exclusively to religious face veils. The prohibition also extends to individuals who cover their faces for other reasons, such as protesters or hooligans.

However, the legislation provides several specific exceptions where face coverings remain permitted. These include:

• Inside houses of worship.
• During carnival celebrations (Fasnacht).
• For the protection of health.
• Against cold weather.

Legislative History

The ban is the result of the “Ja zum Verhüllungsverbot” (Yes to the face-covering ban) initiative. This popular initiative was narrowly approved by the Swiss people and the cantons in 2021.

Following the public vote, the Swiss Parliament approved the implementation proposal in September 2023, which established the fine structure of up to 1,000 Swiss francs.

The Egerkinger Committee was the driving force behind the 2021 initiative. The same committee previously launched the initiative against the construction of minarets, which was accepted in 2009.