Flagday

Flag rules · DK

Flag rules in Denmark

The Flag Flying Act contains binding rules on the swallow-tailed Dannebrog and on flying certain foreign flags from a flagpole. Official flag days are mandatory for state authorities; private citizens choose whether to fly the rectangular Dannebrog. Unless stated otherwise, the times, half-mast procedure, care and etiquette in this guide are official guidance or custom.

08:00hoist earliest
☀︎hoist at sunrise
☾lower at sunset

Hoisting and lowering

  • The Dannebrog is hoisted at sunrise, but not before 08:00, and lowered at sunset.
  • An illuminated flag may fly after dark.
  • The flag must never touch the ground.

Half-mast

  • The flag is first hoisted to the top, then lowered so its lower edge is at the middle of the pole.
  • On Good Friday the flag flies at half-mast all day. On 9 April (Occupation Day) it flies at half-mast until 12:00, then at full mast.
  • When lowering, first hoist the flag to the top.

Pennant

  • A pennant in the Dannebrog's colours may fly around the clock.
  • The swallow-tailed flag is reserved for the royal house, the state and specially authorised users — private citizens use the ordinary rectangular flag.

Condition and size

  • The rule of thumb is that the flag's length should be about a quarter of the pole's height, on a facade pole about a third.
  • The flag must be clean and intact.
  • A worn-out Dannebrog is burned — never thrown in the bin.

Folding the flag

  • Fold or roll the flag so it does not crease, and store it dry.
  • Dry a damp flag before storage.
  • The flag must not touch the ground while being taken down and folded.

Funerals and deaths

  • On a death, the flag flies at half-mast on the day of death and on the funeral day.
  • Once the coffin has been carried away or the burial is over, the flag is hoisted to the top.
  • Mourning takes precedence over official flag days.