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Flagpole GuidesCountries

Flagpole guides and flag etiquette, country by country

Every country has its own rules for when, how and where a flag may fly. Flagpole Guides explains the official flag days, hoisting and lowering times, half-mast customs, flag sizes and building permits for flagpoles in each country, in that country’s own language and based on national law and official guidance.

Every country is also listed by continent further down the page.

Also available in English translation: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland, Austria, Mexico, Brazil.

Countries by continent

New countries are added one at a time, each researched from that country’s own legislation and authorities.

Europe16 guidesFlag days, hoisting times and half-mast customs, country by country.AsiaNo guides yetFrom Japan to Türkiye: national flag laws and official flag days.AfricaNo guides yetIndependence days and flag protocol across 54 countries.North America3 guidesThe US, Canada, Central America and the Caribbean.South America1 guideNational flag days and patriotic holidays across the continent.Oceania2 guidesAustralia, New Zealand and the Pacific island nations.

Flagpole rules in Europe

Each country in the list and on the map links to its guide to flag days, hoisting times, half-mast rules and flagpoles. Europe has 46 countries; 16 guides are published so far and more are added one country at a time.

All countries (46)

Guide available No guide yetMap data: Natural Earth. Small states are shown as dots.

About flagpoles and flag flying

A flagpole looks simple, but flying a national flag correctly touches on law, tradition and engineering. Most countries set their own official flag days by statute, and many regulate the flag’s exact colours and proportions. Authorities publish rules for when the flag is raised and lowered, how far it is lowered at half-mast and which flag takes the place of honour when several nations are flown together.

The flagpole itself falls under building law. Depending on the country, a tall pole or one close to a property boundary can need a building permit, and a pole must be dimensioned for the local wind load. The right flag size depends on the height of the pole.

What each country guide covers

  • Official flag days, with dates
  • Hoisting and lowering times
  • Half-mast and mourning customs
  • Flying foreign flags
  • Flag types, sizes and colours
  • Flag size calculator
  • Flagpole types, materials and heights
  • Building permits and installation
  • Safety, maintenance and repair
  • Flag protocol at ceremonies

Every guide lists its sources, mostly legislation and official guidance from national authorities, and shows when it was last updated.