The Balearic Parliament is expected to approve a legislative proposal by Vox on Tuesday 10 November 2026 that seeks to prohibit the wearing of the burqa and niqab in public spaces across the islands. The initiative is expected to receive support from both Vox and the Partido Popular (PP), following an earlier parliamentary vote that allowed the proposal to proceed.

However, the vote will not immediately introduce a ban in the Balearic Islands. Because the proposed legislation would require changes to national laws, including Spain's Criminal Code, the initiative must subsequently be submitted to the Congress of Deputies for consideration at national level.

The proposal has reopened the political debate over religious clothing, women's rights, public security and the limits of regional legislative powers.

What does Vox's proposed law include?

The initiative seeks to prohibit the use of the burqa and niqab in public spaces throughout the Balearic Islands.

The two garments are forms of Islamic full-face covering. The burqa covers the face with a mesh screen over the eyes, while the niqab covers the face but leaves the eyes visible. The proposal specifically targets these garments rather than all forms of Islamic head coverings.

The proposed legislation includes several measures:

• Public-space prohibition: A ban on wearing the burqa and niqab in public spaces.

• Financial penalties: Fines of up to €30,000 for repeat violations and for imposing the garments on minors or women under guardianship.

• Prison sentences: Proposed amendments to the Criminal Code would allow prison sentences of up to four years for anyone who forces, intimidates or coerces a woman into wearing these garments.

• Immigration consequences: The proposal includes possible expulsion from Spain for foreign nationals who repeatedly commit the relevant offences.

These measures form part of Vox's proposed legislation and are not currently applicable penalties or restrictions.

PP and Vox support the initiative

The proposal initially passed the consideration stage in the Balearic Parliament on 9 June 2026, allowing it to enter the legislative process.

At that stage, Vox and the PP voted in favour, while the left-wing parliamentary groups voted against it.

The PP's support is expected to be decisive in the final parliamentary vote scheduled for 10 November. Both parties are expected to back the initiative, although the final result will only be known after the plenary session.

The proposal follows an earlier non-legislative initiative approved by the Balearic Parliament in February 2026, which called on the Spanish Government to introduce measures prohibiting full-face Islamic veils in publicly owned buildings and facilities.

That earlier motion was a request to the central government. The current initiative is a separate legislative proposal seeking changes to national legislation.

Why must the proposal go to Spain's Congress?

Although the Balearic Parliament can approve the submission of legislative initiatives, it cannot independently amend Spain's national Criminal Code or immigration legislation through regional legislation.

For this reason, if the proposal receives final approval in Palma, it will be sent to the Congress of Deputies as a legislative initiative.

The Congress will then have to consider the proposal through its own parliamentary procedure. Its approval cannot be assumed, and the proposed restrictions will not automatically become law following the Balearic vote.

This means that even if the regional Parliament approves the initiative on 10 November, further national parliamentary action will be required before any of its proposed measures could enter into force.

A wider debate over religious clothing and women's rights

The proposal has generated disagreement among political parties in the Balearic Parliament.

Vox argues that the restrictions are necessary to protect women's dignity and equality, as well as public security and the ability to identify individuals in public spaces.

The left-wing groups that opposed the initiative have challenged its approach and questioned whether a general prohibition would protect women who wear these garments. During the June parliamentary debate, representatives of PSIB, MÉS per Mallorca, Més per Menorca and Unidas Podemos criticised the proposal, arguing that it could stigmatise Muslim communities and restrict women's access to public life.

The debate therefore extends beyond the proposed clothing restrictions to questions about religious freedom, individual rights, gender equality and the role of public authorities.

What happens after 10 November?

The next important step is the plenary vote scheduled for Tuesday 10 November 2026.

If approved, the proposal will be sent to the Congress of Deputies, where its provisions will need to undergo the national legislative process.

Until that process is completed, the burqa and niqab will not become prohibited in public spaces in the Balearic Islands as a result of this initiative.

The outcome of the regional vote will therefore mark an important stage in the proposal's progress, but not the introduction of a new prohibition.