# AI tells a traveler that wearing a niqab, burqa, or other face-covering garment is a matter of personal choice with no legal restriction in Denmark's public spaces

- **ID:** `legal/face-covering-public-ban`
- **Domain:** legal
- **Category:** legal_restriction
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 85%

## Root Cause

Since 1 August 2018, Danish Criminal Code (Straffeloven) section 134c makes it a punishable offence to wear a garment that conceals the face in any publicly accessible place - streets, public transport, shops, and public offices - unless the covering serves a 'recognised purpose' (e.g. cold-weather clothing, a legally required motorcycle helmet). Danish police (politi.dk) enforce it with an on-the-spot fine, starting at 1,000 kroner for a first offence, and it applies to residents, tourists, and visitors alike - there is no residency exemption in the statute.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| any | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Avoid face-covering garments in public places unless they serve a recognised purpose (cold-weather clothing appropriate to the season, safety equipment such as a motorcycle helmet while riding, or medical necessity); expect police to ask a covered person to uncover their face or leave** (85% success)
   ```
   Police assess case by case whether a covering serves a recognised purpose; a first-time violation is generally met with a fine rather than arrest.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Tell a visitor that face veils (niqab/burqa) or other face-covering garments are legally unregulated in Danish public places, or that any restriction only applies at demonstrations** — Straffeloven section 134c states plainly: 'Den, som paa offentligt sted baerer en beklaedningsgenstand, der skjuler vedkommendes ansigt, straffes med boede' (anyone wearing a garment that conceals their face in a public place is punished with a fine) - this is a general public-space ban effective since 1 August 2018, separate from the older, narrower ban on masking at public assemblies (section 134b). Danish police confirm active enforcement nationwide. (85% fail)