What it is
Proposal to ban the niqab and burka in public spaces
It is a members’ bill. Introduced by parliamentary groups, the Senate, regional governments or citizens. It was introduced on 1 June 2026. Introduced by: Senado.
Official title: Private member's bill for the protection of the dignity of women and public safety in public space.
Source: Congreso de los Diputados, file 124/000045· updated 11 Nov
Automatic summary, not yet reviewed
- The bill would ban wearing the face coverings known as the niqab and burka in public spaces, or in private places open to public use.
- It would punish with prison anyone who imposes these garments through violence, intimidation or coercion, with higher penalties if the victim is a minor, sick or has a disability.
- It would amend the citizen security law so that wearing the niqab or burka, or forcing a minor to wear them, becomes a minor offense. Repeating this offense would become a serious offense.
- If the offender is a foreign national, repeat commission of this serious offense would always be punished with expulsion from Spain.
Who it affects
- Women who wear the niqab or burka in public spaces: They would commit a punishable offense under the citizen security law.
- Parents or guardians who force a minor to wear these garments: They would commit a minor offense and could be sanctioned.
- Anyone who imposes these garments through violence or coercion: They would commit a crime punishable by prison.
- Foreign nationals who repeat this offense: They could be expelled from Spain.
Words worth knowing
- Proposición de ley
- A bill: a text proposed to become a law, but not yet approved or in force.
- Ley Orgánica
- Organic law: a type of Spanish law reserved for major matters such as fundamental rights; it requires a special majority in Congress.
- Nicab y burka
- Garments that cover a woman's face; the niqab leaves only the eyes visible.
- Infracción leve y grave
- Minor and serious offenses under the citizen security law: serious ones carry larger fines and can lead to expulsion of foreign nationals.
- Expulsión del territorio nacional
- A sanction that forces a foreign national to leave Spain.
It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries
Where it stands
How far did it get?
It took 3 of 7 steps. It reached Amendments, and today it is unfinished.
- Introduced1 June 2026Someone registers the text in the Congreso.
- Admitted8 June 2026The Bureau of the Congreso accepts it and, for a members’ bill, the plenary decides whether to consider it.
- Amendments12 June 2026Groups propose changes.
- Committeenot reachedA committee goes through the text in detail.
- Plenarynot reachedAll 350 deputies vote.
- Senatenot reachedThe Senate can pass it, amend it or veto it.
- BOEnot reachedIt is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) and comes into force.
See the 5 official steps on a timeline
Was there a plenary vote?
We have no plenary vote linked to this law in the Congreso’s data.
What happens next
What happens now?
The legislature ended before it finished. To go on, someone would have to introduce it again in the new Cortes.
It has not been presented again yet.
The same initiative in the other chamber:
Sources
Where does all this come from?
- Congreso de los Diputados, file 124/000045
Official title, type, author, dates and stage.
Retrieved 11 November 2026
- Congreso de los Diputados, procedure
The date of each step, with its official wording.
Retrieved 12 November 2026
- The data comes from the open files of the Congreso, the Senate and the BOE, unaltered.
- Each deputy’s province is the one of their seat on the day of the vote.
- We only say “passed” or “rejected” when the majority needed is certain; otherwise we say which side had more votes.