Flagday

Flag rules · AX

Flag rules in Åland

The three official flag days and times apply to Åland government offices, subordinate institutions and schools, municipal institutions and Government of Åland traffic vessels. Private individuals may use the flag on public and private celebrations and notable days, but the law creates no general private duty to fly it.

08:00official hoist
☾lower at sunset
21:00lower latest

Hoisting and lowering

  • For official flagging, the Åland flag is hoisted at 08:00 and lowered at sunset, but no later than 21:00.
  • The official duty applies to the specified regional and municipal buildings; the times appear in the Act's chapter on official flagging.
  • On official days, Government of Åland traffic vessels must dress ship according to international custom.

Half-mast

  • The Act on the Flag of Åland prescribes no general official half-mast day or general half-mast procedure.
  • Finnish mourning practice should therefore not automatically be presented as binding Åland law without a separate Åland source.

Private flagging and vessels

  • The flag may be used for public and private celebrations and notable days, and as a symbol of Åland and its people.
  • Vessels based in Åland may use it as a maritime and merchant flag; fishing and leisure craft based in Åland have the same right.
  • A leisure craft may use a special flag approved by the Government of Åland instead of the Åland flag.

Condition and use

  • The flag's design and colours follow the regional Act and the separate colour regulation.
  • A person who publicly handles the Åland flag in a manner liable to insult it may be fined.
  • Vessels operated by the Government of Åland must use the Åland flag.

Folding the flag

  • The reviewed regional Act prescribes no special method for folding the flag.
  • A particular fold should therefore not be presented as a requirement of Åland law.

Funerals and mourning

  • The reviewed regional Act sets no general private mourning rule for a death or funeral.
  • Any such practice should therefore be labelled as custom or recommendation if a future Åland authority source is added.