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Flagpole Guides
Portugal

Lighting the flag at night

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This page is an English translation of the Portuguese original. Where the two versions differ, the Portuguese text is the original.

Under Decreto-Lei n.º 150/87, the national flag flies between 9.00 and sunset. The decree does, however, allow it to stay up at night, and in that case provides for it to be lit by floodlights whenever possible. This guide explains the rule and the most common lighting solutions.

What the law says

LegislationRule
Decreto-Lei n.º 150/87, article 6Flown between 9.00 and sunset; at night, lit by floodlights whenever possible
Decreto-Lei n.º 150/87, article 3On the seats of the organs of sovereignty, may be flown every day
Decreto Regulamentar Regional n.º 13/79/AThe Azorean flag stays up until midnight on gala holidays, on buildings that are lit

The Presidency of the Republic summarises the national rule in the same way: when it stays up during the night, the national flag is lit whenever possible. A flag flown at a house is normally taken down at sunset, and lighting makes sense above all when the flag flies permanently.

Floodlights on the ground

The most common solution is one or more LED floodlights installed on the ground near the base and aimed at the top of the pole. With one floodlight the flag is lit from one side; with two or three, it is lit from several sides whatever the wind direction. Narrow-beam floodlights concentrate the light on the flag.

Light at the top of the pole

A light mounted at the top of the pole, pointing down, lights the flag from above. It needs no cables on the ground by the pole, but is harder to reach for maintenance. There are models powered by a small solar panel.

Power supply

Floodlights need a power supply, usually through a cable buried up to the base of the pole. Digging the trench for the cable is also an excavation near any buried cables, and E-REDES asks to be contacted before digging near electricity cables. The subject is covered in the guide to flagpole safety.

Light for the flag, not the sky

Well-aimed light illuminates the flag without dazzling the neighbours or passers-by. It is common to choose narrow-beam floodlights and place them close to the base, so that the light travels up the pole. A light with a timer or dusk sensor switches on at sunset and off in the morning.

Lighting and holidays

When the flag stays up after sunset on a public holiday, lighting allows this to be done as the decree provides. The holidays are in the guide to flags on holidays, and lighting accessories in the guide to flagpole accessories.

Frequently asked questions

Can the Portuguese national flag stay up at night?

Yes. Article 6 of Decreto-Lei n.º 150/87 provides for the flag to fly between 9.00 and sunset and, when it stays up during the night, to be lit by floodlights whenever possible.

What rule applies in the Azores?

Decreto Regulamentar Regional n.º 13/79/A provides for the Azorean flag to be flown from morning to sunset, except on gala holidays, when it stays up until midnight on buildings that are lit.

What kind of light is used to light a flag?

It is common to use one or more LED floodlights on the ground, aimed at the top of the pole, or a light mounted at the top, pointing down. Light directed at the flag, without spilling into the sky or onto neighbouring houses, reduces glare and light pollution.

Sources

This guide is based on the following sources, most of them in Portuguese:

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