About Flagpole Guides

Flagpole Guides is an independent reference site about flagpoles and flag etiquette. Rules for flying a flag differ a lot between countries: which days are official flag days, when the flag goes up and comes down, how half-mast is done, and whether a flagpole needs a building permit. We collect those rules country by country and explain them in the country’s own language.

Who writes the guides

Every guide on the site is written and maintained by Flagpole Guides. The byline at the top of each guide shows who wrote it, when it was first published and when it was last updated.

How the guides are researched

Each country guide starts from primary sources: the country’s legislation on its flag and flag days, and guidance from the authorities responsible for state symbols, building permits and safety. Where a rule is a recommendation or a tradition rather than law, the guide says so. Every guide lists its sources at the bottom of the page.

One country at a time

We publish one country at a time rather than a thin page for every country at once. Each guide shows when it was published and when it was last updated, and guides are reviewed when laws or official flag days change.

Corrections

If you find an error or a rule that has changed, we want to know. Corrections are made as soon as they have been checked against an official source, and the update date on the guide is changed.

The guides are general information, not legal advice or instructions. Rules can change, and the local building authority can give answers about a specific site.