Flag protocol in Germany: order and ceremony

Where several flags fly side by side, the question of order arises. In Germany it is answered for the Federation by the Federal Government’s flag decree, supplemented by the explanations of Protokoll Inland. States and municipalities have their own rules, which can differ. For businesses, associations and private individuals these rules are not binding, but they offer a recognised order that many follow.

The preferred position

The decree speaks of the preferred position (bevorzugte Stelle). It is on the left-hand side, as seen from outside looking at the building. Anyone standing in front of the building and looking at it therefore sees the highest-ranking flags on the left. The European flag and the federal flag or federal service flag are generally placed there.

The order under the flag decree

From the preferred position, section V(2) of the decree applies:

1. Flags of international and supranational organisations, such as the United Nations, NATO and the European Union
2. Flags of foreign states, in alphabetical order of the official German short name
3. Federal service flag or federal flag
4. Flags of the states, in alphabetical order
5. Flags of municipalities and associations of municipalities

With four poles, this gives from left to right: Europe – Federation – state – municipality. Which flags are flown at all is governed by section IV: federal authorities fly the federal service flag and, where technically possible, the European flag. State and municipal flags are added for regional and local occasions. Federal authorities fly other flags only with the approval of the Federal Ministry of the Interior.

Under the decree, several flags on one building are to be the same size. Notes on the order with foreign flags are in the guide to foreign flags in Germany.

Flags indoors

Indoors, the same order applies at federal events, read from left to right. Protokoll Inland describes several special cases:

• Bilateral press conference: the European flag stands in the middle. The host stands in front of the federal flag, and the guest to the host’s right in front of the flag of their state.
• EU events: the flags of the member states follow the “EU alphabet”, the names of the states in their own languages, from Belgique/België to Sverige.
• Presidencies: at meetings held under a presidency, the flags can stand in the order of the presidencies.
• Event hosted by a state or city: if a state or municipality hosts the event, for example for an entry in the Golden Book, its rules apply.
• Table flags: usually 15 × 25 cm, square flags 20 × 20 cm. They are neither lowered to half-mast nor given a mourning ribbon.

In offices and foyers, Protokoll Inland recommends keeping in principle to the same order as outdoors and adapting the size of the flags to the room.

Ceremonial raising

According to Protokoll Inland, there is no binding rule, apart from the Bundeswehr, for a flag ceremony in Germany. For formal occasions, such as the accreditation of an ambassador, Protokoll Inland describes the following procedure:

1. The folded flag is attached with all hooks to the flag line, the halyard.
2. The person to the left of the pole, facing the building, pulls the line slowly and evenly.
3. A second person carries the folded flag on their forearms, steps back a few paces and spreads the corners at the flying end.
4. During the raising, care is taken that the flag does not touch the ground.
5. The flag is raised to the top. When flags are in mourning, it is then lowered to half-mast.

In the Bundeswehr, according to Protokoll Inland, the federal service flag is raised every day at the flag parade. More about the procedure in mourning in the guide to flags in mourning.

Flags the right way up

Protokoll Inland points out common mistakes. The European flag is upside down when the points of the stars face downwards. On the Union Jack, at the corners nearest the pole, the broad white stripe lies above the narrow red one. The flags of Poland and of Indonesia or Monaco differ only in which colour is at the top; the same applies to the state flags of Thuringia and Hesse. The Swiss flag is square and, on official occasions, is chosen large enough for its area to match that of the rectangular flag next to it.