Flag protocol in Norway: order and position of flags
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the Norwegian original. Where the two versions differ, the Norwegian text is the original.
When several flags are flown at the same time, the question of order and position arises. In Norway, only a few points are set out in regulations: the Norwegian flag’s precedence on municipal buildings and the position of the Sámi flag. The rest is established practice, followed by the state, municipalities and many businesses.
The Norwegian flag’s place of honour
The basic principle is that the Norwegian flag has the place of honour. For municipalities, this is set out in the regulation of 6 July 1933: a foreign country’s flag can be raised next to Norway’s flag on municipal buildings when international courtesy makes it desirable, but it is not to be given a more prominent place than the Norwegian flag.
The Sámi flag
The Sámi Parliament has set its own rules in the regulation on the use of the Sámi flag. Under section 5, the Sámi flag can be used alone or together with the Norwegian state flag, the merchant flag, other nations’ flags and other types of flag. Under section 6, the Sámi flag is placed in the position to the right of the Norwegian flag, both on official Norwegian flag days and on Sámi flag days and occasions. On municipal buildings, the Sámi flag is one of the flags that can always be used, together with the Norwegian flag and the municipal or county flag.
Usual order
| Situation | Common practice |
|---|---|
| Norwegian and one foreign flag | The Norwegian flag in the place of honour, the foreign one next to it |
| Several countries’ flags | The Norwegian flag in the place of honour, the others in alphabetical order of the countries’ names |
| Norwegian, Sámi and municipal flag | The Norwegian flag first, the Sámi flag to its right, then the municipal or county flag |
| Norwegian flag and company flag | The Norwegian flag in the place of honour |
Alphabetical order of the countries’ Norwegian names is the most common solution when many countries are represented, for example at international events.
Poles, height and size
It is common custom for each flag to have its own pole, for the poles to be the same height and for the flags to be the same size. In mourning, all the flags in a group hang at half-mast. How that is done is described in the guide to half-mast.
Official visits
Under section 4 of the flag regulation, state bodies can fly flags during official visits by members of the royal house and by foreign heads of state and royalty. During such visits, the guest country’s flag is often raised next to the Norwegian flag. In cases of doubt, questions about using the state flag on public buildings are, under section 7 of the regulation, put to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the relevant ministry.
Businesses and private individuals
For private individuals and businesses there are no rules on order. Many nevertheless follow public practice and give the Norwegian flag the place of honour ahead of company flags and other countries’ flags. More in the guides to foreign flags in Norway and flagpoles for businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Sámi flag placed next to the Norwegian flag?
Under section 6 of the regulation on the use of the Sámi flag, the Sámi flag is placed in the position to the right of the Norwegian flag, both on official Norwegian flag days and on Sámi flag days and occasions.
Can a foreign flag fly higher than the Norwegian flag?
Not on municipal buildings. Under the 1933 regulation on foreign flags on municipal buildings, a foreign country’s flag is not to be given a more prominent place than Norway’s flag. For private individuals this is not regulated, but it is common custom to give the Norwegian flag the place of honour.
In what order do several countries’ flags fly in Norway?
It is common practice for several countries’ flags to fly in alphabetical order of the countries’ names, with the Norwegian flag in the place of honour. The order is not set in any act or regulation for private individuals.
Can two flags fly on the same pole in Norway?
It is common custom for each flag to have its own pole and for the flags to hang at the same height. Two national flags on the same halyard are unusual in Norway.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Norwegian:
- Forskrift om adgang til i særlige tilfelle å benytte fremmed lands flagg ved siden av det norske flagg på kommunale offentlige bygninger – Lovdata
- Forskrift om bruk av det samiske flagget, §§ 5–6 – Lovdata / Sametinget
- Lov om flagging på kommunenes offentlige bygninger – Lovdata
- Forskrift angående bruk av statsflagget og handelsflagget [flaggforskriften], §§ 4–5, 7 – Lovdata
- Kan private flagge med hva de vil? – Flaggregler.com
Related guides
- Foreign flagsOther countries’ flags in Norway: what private individuals can fly, the rules for municipal buildings from 1933 and 2021 and the Sámi flag.
- Flags in mourningFlags in mourning in Norway: deaths, funerals and national mourning, what the state and municipalities do, and the customs of private owners.
- Flag typesNorwegian flag types: the rectangular flag, the swallow-tailed state flag, the royal standard, the post and customs flags, the pennant, table flags and banners.
- Flagpoles for businessesFlagpoles for businesses in Norway: company and advertising flags, sign rules, flag installations, the state flag and working at height.