National mourning and the flag in Poland
Published Written by Flagpole Guides
This page is an English translation of the Polish original. Where the two versions differ, the Polish text is the original.
National mourning is a special period in which the state pays tribute to the victims of tragic events or to deceased people of exceptional importance. In Poland its legal basis is article 11 of the Act on the emblem, colours and anthem of the Republic of Poland and on state seals. The most visible sign of mourning is the flags lowered to half-mast on public buildings across the country. This guide describes how national mourning is declared and what it means for the flag. How the flag is lowered is described in the guide to half-mast.
Who declares mourning
Since an amendment of 28 July 2005, national mourning is declared by the President of the Republic of Poland by regulation. Under article 11(1) of the Act, the regulation should set out in particular the reasons for and the duration of the mourning, taking into account cultural and historical circumstances and established customs. The regulation requires the countersignature of the Prime Minister and is published in the Journal of Laws.
Earlier, mourning was sometimes declared by the Council of Ministers by resolution, and the President issued regulations on lowering the state flag. When the office of President is vacant, its duties are performed by the Marshal of the Sejm; this was the case in April 2010.
What the regulations contain
Regulations on national mourning usually follow a similar pattern:
| Paragraph | Content |
|---|---|
| § 1 | The reason for and duration of the mourning, sometimes with exact times |
| § 2 | The state flag is lowered to half-mast, in particular on the buildings of the seats of state authorities, other state bodies and units, and local government bodies and municipal units |
| § 3 | Radio, television and the press take account of the need to commemorate the deceased |
| § 4 | Entry into force, usually on the day of publication |
Examples
- April 2010: after the plane crash near Smolensk, the Marshal of the Sejm acting as President declared national mourning from 18:00 on 10 April 2010; a further regulation extended it to 18 April.
- January 2019: after the death of the mayor of Gdańsk, Paweł Adamowicz, the mourning lasted from 17:00 on 18 January 2019 to 19:00 on 19 January.
- April 2025: following the death of Pope Francis, the President declared national mourning on 26 April 2025, the day of his funeral.
These regulations show that mourning can last from a few hours to several days. The full list is available in the Journal of Laws.
The flag during mourning
During national mourning, the state flag is lowered to half-mast. According to the guidance of the National Security Bureau, other flags, such as the flag of the European Union or a municipal flag, are taken down from their poles for the duration of the mourning, and flags on staffs are tied at the top with a black ribbon (kir). When the mourning ends, the state flag is first raised to the top of the pole and then the other flags are hoisted again.
The regulation names above all the buildings of public institutions. Residents, schools, parishes and businesses often join in the mourning by lowering their flags or tying them with a black ribbon.
Local mourning
Apart from national mourning, a voivode, city mayor or municipal head sometimes declares mourning in their area, for example after an accident in which local residents died. The Act on the emblem, colours and anthem does not regulate such mourning. According to the Bureau, the state flag is not lowered to half-mast outside national mourning, and institutions can display a black flag as a sign of mourning. Local government announcements also mention lowering the municipal or city flag to half-mast.
A holiday during mourning
If national mourning covers a state holiday, the flag remains at half-mast for the whole period set in the regulation. The dates of the holidays are in the guide to flag days.
Frequently asked questions
Who declares national mourning?
Under article 11(1) of the Act on the emblem, colours and anthem, national mourning is declared by the President of the Republic of Poland by regulation, which sets out in particular the reasons for and the duration of the mourning. The regulation is published in the Journal of Laws (Dziennik Ustaw).
What happens to the flag during national mourning?
Under article 11(2) of the Act, the state flag is lowered to half-mast during national mourning. The President's regulations name in particular the buildings of the seats of state authorities, state bodies and units and local government bodies.
When was national mourning last declared?
By a regulation of 23 April 2025, the President declared national mourning on 26 April 2025, following the death of Pope Francis.
Does national mourning mean a day off work?
No. The Act on the emblem, colours and anthem provides no day off because of national mourning, and the days off work are listed in the Act of 18 January 1951. The President's regulations concern the flag and the commemoration in radio and television programmes and in the press.
Sources
This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Polish:
- Ustawa z dnia 31 stycznia 1980 r. o godle, barwach i hymnie Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej oraz o pieczęciach państwowych (art. 11) – Dziennik Ustaw
- Rozporządzenie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 23 kwietnia 2025 r. w sprawie wprowadzenia żałoby narodowej na terytorium Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej – Dziennik Ustaw
- Rozporządzenie Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 17 stycznia 2019 r. w sprawie wprowadzenia żałoby narodowej na terytorium Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej – Dziennik Ustaw
- Rozporządzenie Marszałka Sejmu wykonującego obowiązki Prezydenta Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej z dnia 10 kwietnia 2010 r. w sprawie wprowadzenia żałoby narodowej – Dziennik Ustaw
- Duma i szacunek. Zasady oraz dobre praktyki godnego postępowania wobec polskich symboli państwowych – Biuro Bezpieczeństwa Narodowego
Related guides
- Half-mastWhen the flag is lowered to half-mast in Poland, how it is lowered, what happens to other flags, the black mourning ribbon and mourning in the armed forces.
- Flag rulesThe rules on the Polish flag: who raises it, residents' rights, the flag with the emblem, respect for the colours, BBN guidance and criminal penalties.
- Flag protocolThe order of flags in Poland according to BBN guidance: the place of honour, the EU flag, local government and foreign flags, even and odd numbers of flags.
- Flag daysWhen the flag is flown in Poland: national and state holidays, Flag Day on 2 May, days off work in 2026 and 2027 and what the Act on the flag says.