The Islamic full-face veil - the burqa, which covers a woman's entire face, or the niqab, which shows only the eyes - is a hot-button issue across Europe.
Different policies exist in different countries, with Denmark becoming the latest country to ban the wearing of the full-face veil in public.
Austria
The ban on the full veil in public places took effect in October 2017. Violations can lead to fines of up to 150 euros ($170).
Belgium
The wearing of the full veil is regulated by a 2011 law that bans "appearing in places accessible to the public with a face masked or hidden, in whole or in part, in such a way as to be unidentifiable". The European Court of Human Rights upheld the ban in July 2017.
Britain
There is no law restricting the wearing of garments for religious reasons. However, in March 2007 the education ministry published directives allowing directors of public establishments and denominational schools to ban the niqab.
Bulgaria
In September 2016 parliament adopted a law banning the wearing of the full veil in public, apart from for health or professional reasons.
Denmark
Denmark banned the full-face veil in public spaces on May 31 in a ruling that will take effect on August 1.
Wearing a burqa or niqab in public is punishable by a fine of 1,000 kroner ($156, 134 euros).
France
France was the first European country to ban the full-face veil in public places with a law that took effect in 2011.
The European Court upheld the French burqa ban in 2014, rejecting arguments that outlawing full-face veils breached religious freedom.
The law has resulted in around 1,600 arrests since it came into force. Violations can result in fines of up to 150 euros.
Germany
German lawmakers have approved a partial ban on "covering the face".
According to the legislation civil servants and officials, including judges and soldiers, must have their faces uncovered, and people can also be required to remove facial coverings in order to match them with their identity papers.
Italy
A 1975 law aimed at protecting public order makes it illegal to cover the face in public places but courts have systematically thrown out local moves to use the ban to outlaw the full-face veil.
Two regions held by the anti-immigrant Northern League, Lombardy and Venetia, have banned the burqa and full-face veil in hospitals and public places.
The Netherlands
Legislation passed by the lower house in November 2016 and currently being examined by the Senate would ban the wearing of burqas, helmets and face masks on public transport as well as in schools, hospitals and government buildings. Violations would result in a fine of up to 405 euros.
Sweden
Since 2006, schools are allowed to ban the face-covering veil if it prevents communication between the student and teacher, if it is dangerous (such as in a laboratory or during a sports class) or if it contravenes hygiene rules. Elsewhere in the country, wearing the full veil is authorised.
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