Flagday

Flag rules · FI

Flag rules in Finland

The law governs the flag's design and protected variants, and everyone has the right to fly the national flag. The decree's duty to fly the flag on official days applies to the state and public buildings specified there. For a private flagpole, established calendar days, occasional ministry recommendations and flag-flying times are recommendations or established practice.

08:00hoist
21:00lower latest
18–21Midsummer: overnight

Hoisting and lowering

  • The flag is hoisted at 08:00 and lowered at sunset, but no later than 21:00.
  • On Independence Day it is lowered at 20:00.
  • On election days it is lowered at sunset, but no earlier than 20:00 when voting continues after sunset, and always no later than 21:00.
  • At Midsummer the flag is hoisted at 18:00 on Midsummer Eve and lowered at 21:00 on Midsummer Day — it flies through the night.
  • During the polar night, flying 08:00–16:00 is recommended.

Half-mast

  • For mourning, the flag is first hoisted to the top and then lowered so its bottom edge is roughly at the middle of the pole.
  • When lowering, first hoist it to the top.
  • Memorial Day for the Fallen is flown at full mast all day; the former half-mast practice ended in 1995.

Pennant

  • A pennant may fly around the clock.
  • In Finland blue-and-white pennants and householder's pennants are common; they are never flown at half-mast.

Condition and size

  • The flag's height should be about one sixth of the pole's height.
  • A dirty or damaged flag must not be used.
  • A retired flag is destroyed discreetly, for example by burning or cutting into pieces — it must not be buried or sunk at sea.

Folding the flag

  • The flag must not touch the ground when lowered and folded.
  • Fold or roll it carefully and store it dry.
  • The flag of Finland must not be used as a tablecloth, drape or decoration.

Funerals and deaths

  • Mourning flagging takes place on the day of death or the day the news is received, and on the funeral day.
  • On the funeral day the flag may be hoisted to the top once the burial is over.
  • Mourning takes precedence over a general flag day.