Flag protocol in Poland: order and position of flags

When other flags fly beside the Polish flag – the flag of the European Union, a voivodeship flag or the flags of foreign guests – the question of their order and position arises. The Act on the emblem, colours and anthem does not regulate this. The rules of protocol, based on the tradition of state ceremonial and diplomatic practice, were collected by the National Security Bureau in the booklet “Duma i szacunek”. This guide summarises that guidance. The flags of other states are also described in the guide to foreign flags in Poland.

The principle of precedence

According to the Bureau, in the territory of the Republic of Poland the state flag takes precedence over any other and always occupies the place of honour relative to the symbols of other states and symbols of other kinds. The further order of state flags follows the alphabetical order of the states' names. The flag of the Republic of Poland is hoisted or hung first and lowered or taken down last. No other flag flies on the same pole or staff.

The order of flags of different kinds

When flags of different ranks and kinds fly together, the Bureau gives the following order:

1. the flag of the host state;
2. the voivodeship flag;
3. the district (powiat) flag;
4. the municipal (gmina) flag;
5. the flags of Polish services, including military ones;
6. the flags of Polish organisations and institutions;
7. the flag of another state;
8. the flag of the European Union;
9. the flag of an international organisation;
10. an occasional flag.

Voivodeships, districts and municipalities adopt their own flags by resolution of their council under article 3 of the Act on badges and uniforms, after the minister responsible for public administration has given an opinion on the design.

The place of honour

According to the Bureau, the place of honour for the flag is on the right of the lectern, the presidium table, the stage or the speaker – which is the left as seen from the front. In practice this means:

• at the entrance to a building, a window or a gate, the flag is placed, where possible, on the right, which is the left as seen from the front;
• when the flag and the image of the white eagle are displayed side by side, the flag is to the right of the eagle;
• on vehicles, the flag is placed on their right side.

Several flagpoles

With three flagpoles in front of a municipal office, the Polish flag therefore usually flies in the middle, the municipal or voivodeship flag on its right (the left as seen by the viewer), and the flag of the European Union on the other side. With two flagpoles, the Polish flag flies on the left as seen by the viewer.

Size and height

According to the Bureau, when the flag of the Republic of Poland flies together with the flags of other states, all are the same size and fly at the same height. Their placement should not suggest the superiority of one state over others. For this reason flagpoles of the same height are usually used for several flags. The choice of height is described in the guide to flagpole heights.

Crossed flags

When flags are crossed, according to the Bureau the flag higher in rank is on the right (the left as seen from the front), and its staff is above the staff of the other flag.

Courtesy towards guests

During joint appearances of a Polish representative and a representative of another state, diplomatic protocol allows, according to the Bureau, the place of honour on the right to be courteously ceded to the flag of the guest state, but only indoors. When representatives of other states use official vehicles, the Polish flag is on the right and the guest's flag on the left of the vehicle.

During mourning

According to the Bureau, other flags are taken down for the duration of national mourning, and the state flag is lowered to half-mast. The details are in the guide to half-mast.

Flags at businesses

Businesses often follow the same rules when they fly the Polish flag in front of their premises beside a company flag or the flags of foreign partners. In the Bureau's order, a company flag belongs to the flags of Polish organisations and institutions. More is in the guide to flagpoles for businesses.