Buying a flag in Austria: price, size and quality

Anyone buying a flag in Austria will find large price differences, even between flags that look the same in pictures. The differences usually have an explanation: size, fabric, workmanship and finishing. This guide gives no prices, because they differ between manufacturers and retailers and change over time. Instead it describes what affects the price of a flag and what rights buyers have.

What affects the price of a flag?

Flag price and size

Size is usually the most important single factor. It depends on the pole: the Erste Österreichische Fahnenfabrik lists 120 × 200 cm in landscape format and 100 × 400 cm in portrait format for a 7-metre pole. According to Fahnen Gärtner, 100 × 400 cm is the most common flag size in Austria. Which size suits which pole is shown in the guide to flag sizes and the flag size calculator.

Fabric and durability

The fabric decides how long a flag lasts in the wind. The Erste Österreichische Fahnenfabrik gives these average lifespans:

Lifespan also depends on weather and care. The Fahnenfabrik recommends taking flags down from wind force 8 (about 60 km/h). A heavier fabric costs more to buy but needs replacing less often. More in the guide to flagpole lifespan.

Finishing: landscape, portrait or banner

The finishing describes how the flag is attached to the pole – with snap hooks on the short side, with a sleeve or loops on the long side, or on an arm. According to Fahnen Gärtner, this is where the difference between banner and vertical flag lies. Which finishing fits depends on the pole: a banner flag needs an arm. More in the guide to flag types.

Design: stripes, coat of arms or logo

• Austrian flag without coat of arms: anyone may use the flag of the Republic. It is the simplest version.
• With the federal coat of arms: the red-white-red flag with the eagle is the federal service flag. Under section 6 of the Coat of Arms Act its use is reserved for federal bodies and authorities; unauthorised use is an administrative offence under section 8.
• State flags: striped flags in the state colours, some with the state coat of arms. More in the guide to the flags of the federal states.
• Municipal, club and company flags: made to a template, which raises the price compared with a striped flag.

Shipping

For flags with a staff, such as carried and swinging flags, Fahnen Gärtner applies special shipping terms from a length of 175 cm, so-called oversize shipping. Whether and which shipping costs apply is part of the price comparison.

VAT

Flags are subject to the standard VAT rate of 20% under section 10(1) of the VAT Act 1994. Retailers often show net prices for businesses and clubs and gross prices for private customers; the difference between the two is 20%.

Rights when buying

• Right of withdrawal: for distance contracts with a business, such as online purchases, consumers generally have 14 days to withdraw under section 11 FAGG. For goods, the period starts on the day the consumer receives them. Under section 18(1)(3) FAGG there is no right of withdrawal for goods made to the consumer’s specifications – such as a flag with a company logo.
• Warranty: under section 10 of the Consumer Warranty Act (VGG), the business is liable for defects that exist on delivery and become apparent within two years.
• Presumption: if a defect appears within one year of delivery, it is presumed under section 11 VGG to have existed on delivery.
• After a repair: for contracts concluded from 1 October 2026, the warranty period is extended once by one year under section 10(2a) VGG if a defect is remedied by repair.
• Guarantee: a manufacturer’s guarantee is voluntary and adds to the statutory rights.

Whether fading or fraying is a defect depends on which properties were agreed or are usual; wind and sun take their toll on every flag fabric. What affects the price of a pole is described in the guide to buying a flagpole.