2 Kingdom of Belgium (1830/NOW)

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(1: Flag)

(2: Early flag)

(3: Naval ensign)

• Description of the flag
• History of the flag
• Status of the flag
• Naval ensign
• Legislation concerning flags and their hoisting

(1) Paly of three, sable, or and gules

(2) Barry of three, gules, or and sable

The flag of the Belgian Kingdom is composed of the Brabantic colours, that is, the colours are taken from the arms of the old duchy of Brabant. On the first flag, made by Miss Abts, the stripes were put horizontally. Already in the days of the revolution of 1830, the first flags having vertical stripes appeared. Eventually, the vertical ordering was choosen.

The flag first was established by a Decree of the Provisional government of January 23, 1831, and later adopted in the Constitution under article 125. [goe]

(3) A white flag with saltire in the national colors (red, yellow, and black), in the top center crossed cannons below a royal crown, in the bottom center an anchor, all black.

This flag was adopted in the 1950s.

July 5, 1974 - Royal Decree concerning the hoisting of flags on public buidlings

Days on which the flags can be hoisted

The national flag should be hoisted on public buildings on February 17 (half-mast), May 1, 8, June 11, July 21, 22, 23, September 7, November 3, 11, 15 and December 15, as well as on May 5 and October 24.

The Minister of Interior Affairs has the authority to impose the hoisting of the flag on other days too.

Other flags

Besides the national flag, other official flags may be hoisted to, according to the other articles in this Royal Decree, the ceremony or the local customs. At official visits of the stateshead of another country, the national flag of the other country may be hoisted too, and on the official holidays of international organization of which Belgium is a member, the flag of the organization can also be hoisted.

Order of the flags

The order of precedence of the official flags is as follows:

1. the national flag;
2. the flag of the Cultural Community;
3. the flag of the province;
4. the flag of the commune.

1. the national flag;
2. the other national flag and/or the flag of the organization;
3. the flag of the Cultural Community;
4. the flag of the province;
5. the flag of the commune.

The precedence is defined in respect to the building of the tribune, as one stands with his back to the building or the tribune at which the flags are hoisted. If the number of flags is odd, the order is 5-3-1-2-4, and if it is even, the order is 6-4-2-1-3-5. If some of the flags aren't hoisted, the flags with a lower precedence shift one place up. If flags are hoisted to the same mast, the precendence is defined from the top of the mast.

Proposal - Protection of the flag

For the moment, the national flag isn't protected by any law against its burning or tearing up. For this reason, the two Walloon deputies Duquesne (PRL) and Mairesse (PSC) proposed a new article 282bis, that would punish everybody who shows during a public manifestation or in a place open to the public an obvious disrepect for the national flag by tearing it up, by setting fire to it, by insulting it or by putting it throuh ignominious actions to an imprisonement of eight days to a year and a fine of DEM30 or US$16 up to DEM3000 or US$1600. [LLB97]

2.1 Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest/ Bruxelles Région-Capitale (1973/NOW)

2.1.1 Conseil de la Communauté francaise (CoCoF)

2.1.2 City of Brussel/Bruxelles

2.2 Vlaams Gewest (1973/NOW)

2.2.1 Province of Antwerpen (1830/NOW)

2.2.1.1 Commune of Aartselaar

2.2.1.2 City of Antwerpen

2.2.1.3 Commune of Arendonk

2.2.1.4 Commune of Baarle-Hertog

2.2.1.5 Commune of Balen

2.2.1.6 Commune of Beerse

2.2.1.7 Commune of Berchem

2.2.1.8 Commune of Berlaar

2.2.1.9 Commune of Boechout

2.2.1.10 Commune of Bonheiden

2.2.1.11 Commune of Boom

2.2.1.12 Commune of Bornem

2.2.1.13 Commune of Borsbeek

2.2.1.14 Commune of Brasschaat

2.2.1.15 Commune of Brecht

2.2.1.16 Commune of Dessel

2.2.1.17 Commune of Duffel

2.2.1.18 Commune of Edegem

2.2.1.19 Commune of Essen

2.2.1.20 Commune of Geel

2.2.1.21 Commune of Grobbendonk

2.2.1.22 Commune of Heist-op-den-Berg

2.2.1.23 Commune of Hemiksem

2.2.1.24 Commune of Herentals

2.2.1.25 Commune of Herenthout

2.2.1.26 Commune of Herselt

2.2.1.27 Commune of Hoogstraten

2.2.1.28 Commune of Hove

2.2.1.29 Commune of Hulshout

2.2.1.30 Commune of Kalmthout

2.2.1.31 Commune of Kapellen

2.2.1.32 Commune of Kasterlee

2.2.1.33 Commune of Kontich

2.2.1.34 Commune of Laakdal

2.2.1.35 City of Lier

2.2.1.36 Commune of Lille

2.2.1.37 Commune of Lint

2.2.1.38 Commune of Malle

2.2.1.39 City of Mechelen

2.2.1.40 Commune of Meerhout

2.2.1.41 Commune of Merksplas

2.2.1.42 Commune of Mol

2.2.1.43 Commune of Mortsel

2.2.1.44 Commune of Niel

2.2.1.45 Commune of Nijlen

2.2.1.46 Commune of Olen

2.2.1.47 Commune of Oud-Turnhout

2.2.1.48 Commune of Putte

2.2.1.49 Commune of Puurs

2.2.1.50 Commune of Ranst

2.2.1.51 Commune of Ravels

2.2.1.52 Commune of Retie

2.2.1.53 Commune of Rijkevorsel

2.2.1.54 Commune of Rumst

2.2.1.55 Commune of Schelle

2.2.1.56 Commune of Schilde

2.2.1.57 Commune of Schoten

2.2.1.58 Commune of Sint-Amands

2.2.1.59 Commune of Sint-Katelijne-Waver

2.2.1.60 Commune of Stabroek

2.2.1.61 City of Turnhout

2.2.1.62 Commune of Vorselaar

2.2.1.63 Commune of Vosselaar

2.2.1.64 Commune of Wijnegem

2.2.1.65 Commune of Willebroek

2.2.1.66 Commune of Wommelgem

2.2.1.67 Commune of Wuustwezel

2.2.1.68 Commune of Zandhoven

2.2.1.69 Commune of Zoersel

2.2.1.70 Commune of Zwijndrecht

2.2.2 Belgian Province of Limburg (1839/NOW)

2.2.2.1 Commune of Alken

2.2.2.2 Commune of As

2.2.2.3 Commune of Beringen

2.2.2.4 Commune of Bilzen

2.2.2.5 Commune of Bocholt

2.2.2.6 Commune of Borgloon

2.2.2.7 Commune of Bree

2.2.2.8 Commune of Diepenbeek

2.2.2.9 Commune of Dilsen

2.2.2.10 Commune of Genk

2.2.2.11 Commune of Gingelom

2.2.2.12 Commune of Halen

2.2.2.13 Commune of Ham

2.2.2.14 Commune of Hamont-Achel

2.2.2.15 City of Hasselt

2.2.2.16 Commune of Hechtel-Eksel

2.2.2.17 Commune of Heers

2.2.2.18 Commune of Herk-de-Stad

2.2.2.19 Commune of Herstappe

2.2.2.20 Commune of Heusden-Zolder

2.2.2.21 Commune of Houthalen-Helchteren

2.2.2.22 Commune of Kinrooi

2.2.2.23 Commune of Kortessem

2.2.2.24 Commune of Leopoldsburg

2.2.2.25 Commune of Lommel

2.2.2.26 Commune of Lummen

2.2.2.27 City of Maaseik

2.2.2.28 Commune of Maasmechelen

2.2.2.29 Commune of Meeuwen-Gruitrode

2.2.2.30 Commune of Neerpelt

2.2.2.31 Commune of Nieuwerkerken

2.2.2.32 Commune of Opglabbeek

2.2.2.33 Commune of Overpelt

2.2.2.34 Commune of Peer

2.2.2.35 Commune of Riemst

2.2.2.36 City of Sint-Truiden

2.2.2.37 Commune of Tessenderlo

2.2.2.38 Commune of Tongeren

2.2.2.39 Commune of Voeren

2.2.2.39.1 Action fouronnaise

2.2.2.40 Commune of Wellen

2.2.2.41 Commune of Zonhoven

2.2.2.42 Commune of Zutendaal

2.2.3 Province of Oost-Vlaanderen (1830/NOW)

2.2.3.1 City of Aalst

2.2.3.2 Commune of Aalter

2.2.3.3 Commune of Assenede

2.2.3.4 Commune of Berlare

2.2.3.5 Commune of Beveren

2.2.3.6 Commune of Brakel

2.2.3.7 Commune of Buggenhout

2.2.3.8 Commune of Deinze

2.2.3.9 Commune of Denderleeuw

2.2.3.10 City of Dendermonde

2.2.3.11 Commune of De Pinte

2.2.3.12 Commune of Destelbergen

2.2.3.13 Commune of Eeklo

2.2.3.14 Commune of Erpe-Mere

2.2.3.15 Commune of Evergem

2.2.3.16 Commune of Gavere

2.2.3.17 City of Gent

2.2.3.18 Commune of Geraardsbergen

2.2.3.19 Commune of Haaltert

2.2.3.20 Commune of Hamme

2.2.3.21 Commune of Herzele

2.2.3.22 Commune of Horebeke

2.2.3.23 Commune of Kaprijke

2.2.3.24 Commune of Kluisbergen

2.2.3.25 Commune of Knesselare

2.2.3.26 Commune of Kruibeke

2.2.3.27 Commune of Kruishoutem

2.2.3.28 Commune of Laarne

2.2.3.29 Commune of Lebbeke

2.2.3.30 Commune of Lede

2.2.3.31 Commune of Lierde

2.2.3.32 Commune of Lochristi

2.2.3.33 City of Lokeren

2.2.3.34 Commune of Lovendegem

2.2.3.35 Commune of Maarkedal

2.2.3.36 Commune of Maldegem

2.2.3.37 Commune of Melle

2.2.3.38 Commune of Merelbeke

2.2.3.39 Commune of Moerbeke-Waas

2.2.3.40 Commune of Nazareth

2.2.3.41 Commune of Nevele

2.2.3.42 Commune of Ninove

2.2.3.43 Commune of Oosterzele

2.2.3.44 City of Oudenaarde

2.2.3.45 Commune of Ronse

2.2.3.46 Commune of Sint-Gillis-Waas

2.2.3.47 Commune of Sint-Laureins

2.2.3.48 Commune of Sint-Lievens-Houtem

2.2.3.49 Commune of Sint-Martens-Latem

2.2.3.50 City of Sint-Niklaas

2.2.3.51 Commune of Stekene

2.2.3.52 City of Temse

2.2.3.53 Commune of Waarschoot

2.2.3.54 Commune of Waasmunster

2.2.3.55 Commune of Wachtebeke

2.2.3.56 Commune of Wetteren

2.2.3.57 Commune of Wichelen

2.2.3.58 Commune of Wortegem-Petegem

2.2.3.59 Commune of Zele

2.2.3.60 Commune of Zelzate

2.2.3.61 Commune of Zingem

2.2.3.62 Commune of Zomergem

2.2.3.63 Commune of Zottegem

2.2.3.64 Commune of Zulte

2.2.3.65 Commune of Zwalm

2.2.4 Belgian Province of Vlaams-Brabant (1995-JAN-01/NOW)

2.2.4.1 City of Aarschot

2.2.4.2 Commune of Affligem

2.2.4.3 Commune of Asse

2.2.4.4 Commune of Beersel

2.2.4.5 Commune of Begijnendijk

2.2.4.6 Commune of Bekkevoort

2.2.4.7 Commune of Bertem

2.2.4.8 Commune of Bever

2.2.4.9 Commune of Bierbeek

2.2.4.10 Commune of Boortmeerbeek

2.2.4.11 Commune of Boutersem

2.2.4.12 City of Diest

2.2.4.13 Commune of Dilbeek

2.2.4.14 City of Drogenbos

2.2.4.15 Commune of Galmaarden

2.2.4.16 Commune of Geetbets

2.2.4.17 Commune of Glabbeek

2.2.4.18 Commune of Gooik

2.2.4.19 Commune of Grimbergen

2.2.4.20 Commune of Haacht

2.2.4.21 City of Halle

2.2.4.22 Commune of Herent

2.2.4.23 Commune of Herne

2.2.4.24 Commune of Hoegaarden

2.2.4.25 Commune of Hoeilaart

2.2.4.26 Commune of Holsbeek

2.2.4.27 Commune of Huldenberg

2.2.4.28 Commune of Kampenhout

2.2.4.29 Commune of Kapelle-op-den-Bos

2.2.4.30 Commune of Kortenaken

2.2.4.31 Commune of Kortenberg

2.2.4.32 Commune of Kraainem

2.2.4.33 Commune of Landen

2.2.4.34 Commune of Lennik

2.2.4.35 City of Leuven

2.2.4.36 Commune of Liedekerke

2.2.4.37 Commune of Linkebeek

2.2.4.38 Commune of Linter

2.2.4.39 Commune of Londerzeel

2.2.4.40 Commune of Lubbeek

2.2.4.41 Commune of Machelen

2.2.4.42 Commune of Meise

2.2.4.43 Commune of Merchtem

2.2.4.44 Commune of Opwijk

2.2.4.45 Commune of Oud-Heverlee

2.2.4.46 Commune of Overijse

2.2.4.47 Commune of Pepingen

2.2.4.48 Commune of Roosdaal

2.2.4.49 Commune of Rotselaar

2.2.4.50 Commune of Scherpenheuvel-Zichem

2.2.4.51 Commune of Sint-Genesius-Rode

2.2.4.52 Commune of Sint-Pieters-Leeuw

2.2.4.53 Commune of Steenokkerzeel

2.2.4.54 Commune of Ternat

2.2.4.55 Commune of Tervuren

2.2.4.56 Commune of Tielt-Winge

2.2.4.57 City of Tienen

2.2.4.58 Commune of Tremelo

2.2.4.59 City of Vilvoorde

2.2.4.60 Commune of Wemmel

2.2.4.61 Commune of Wezembeek-Oppem

2.2.4.62 Commune of Zaventem

2.2.4.63 Commune of Zemst

2.2.4.64 Commune of Zoutleeuw

2.2.5 Belgian Province of West-Vlaanderen (1830/NOW)

2.2.5.1 Commune of Alveringem

2.2.5.2 Commune of Anzegem

2.2.5.3 Commune of Ardooie

2.2.5.4 Commune of Avelgem

2.2.5.5 Commune of Beernem

2.2.5.6 Commune of Blankenberge

2.2.5.7 Commune of Bredene

2.2.5.8 City of Brugge

2.2.5.9 Commune of Damme

2.2.5.10 Commune of Deerlijk

2.2.5.11 Commune of De Haan

2.2.5.12 Commune of De Panne

2.2.5.13 Commune of Diksmuide

2.2.5.14 Commune of Gistel

2.2.5.15 Commune of Harelbeke

2.2.5.16 Commune of Heuvelland

2.2.5.17 Commune of Hooglede

2.2.5.18 Commune of Houthulst

2.2.5.19 Commune of Ichtegem

2.2.5.20 City of Ieper

2.2.5.21 Commune of Ingelmunster

2.2.5.22 City of Izegem

2.2.5.23 Commune of Jabbeke

2.2.5.24 Commune of Knokke-Heist

2.2.5.25 Commune of Koekelare

2.2.5.26 Commune of Koksijde

2.2.5.27 Commune of Kortemark

2.2.5.28 City of Kortrijk

2.2.5.29 Commune of Kuurne

2.2.5.30 Commune of Langemark-Poelkapelle

2.2.5.31 Commune of Ledegem

2.2.5.32 Commune of Lendelede

2.2.5.33 Commune of Lichtervelde

2.2.5.34 Commune of Lo-Reninge

2.2.5.35 City of Menen

2.2.5.36 Commune of Mesen

2.2.5.37 Commune of Meulebeke

2.2.5.38 Commune of Middelkerke

2.2.5.39 Commune of Moorslede

2.2.5.40 Commune of Nieuwpoort

2.2.5.41 City of Oostende

2.2.5.42 Commune of Oostkamp

2.2.5.43 Commune of Oostrozebeke

2.2.5.44 Commune of Oudenburg

2.2.5.45 Commune of Pittem

2.2.5.46 City of Poperinge

2.2.5.47 City of Roeselare

2.2.5.48 Commune of Ruiselede

2.2.5.49 Commune of Spiere-Helkijn

2.2.5.50 Commune of Staden

2.2.5.51 Commune of Tielt

2.2.5.52 Commune of Torhout

2.2.5.53 City of Veurne

2.2.5.54 Commune of Vleteren

2.2.5.55 Commune of Waregem

2.2.5.56 Commune of Wervik

2.2.5.57 Commune of Wevelgem

2.2.5.58 Commune of Wielsbeke

2.2.5.59 Commune of Wingene

2.2.5.60 Commune of Zedelgem

2.2.5.61 Commune of Zonnebeke

2.2.5.62 Commune of Zuienkerke

2.2.5.63 Commune of Zwevegem

2.3 Région Wallonne (1973/NOW)

2.3.1 Province of Brabant wallon (1995-JAN-01/NOW)

2.3.1.1 Commune of Beauvechain

2.3.1.2 Commune of Orp-Jauche

2.3.1.3 Commune of Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve

2.3.2 Province of Hainaut (1830/NOW)

2.3.2.1 Commune of Anderlues

2.3.2.2 Commune of Ath

2.3.2.3 Commune of Antoing

2.3.2.4 Commune of Beloeil

2.3.2.5 Commune of Boussu

2.3.2.6 Commune of Celles

2.3.2.7 Commune of Ellezelles

2.3.2.8 City of Enghien

2.3.2.9 Commune of Flobecq

2.3.2.10 Commune of Hensies

2.3.2.11 Commune of Leuze-en-Hainaut

2.3.2.12 City of Mons

2.3.2.13 City of Mouscron

2.3.2.14 Commune of Quévy

2.3.2.15 Commune of Quiévrain

2.3.2.16 Commune of Thuin

2.3.3 Province of Liège (1830/NOW)

2.3.3.1 Commune of Amay

2.3.3.2 Commune of Anthisnes

2.3.3.3 Commune of Baelen

2.3.3.4 Commune of Clavier

2.3.3.5 Commune of Flémalle

2.3.3.6 City of Liège

2.3.3.7 Commune of Modave

2.3.3.8 Commune of Remicourt

2.3.3.9 Commune of Seraing

2.3.3.10 Commune of Villers-le-Bouillet

2.3.4 Province of Luxembourg (1839/NOW)

2.3.4.1 City of Arlon

2.3.4.2 Commune of Attert

2.3.4.3 Commune of Erezée

2.3.4.4 Commune of Hotton

2.3.4.5 Commune of Manhay

2.3.4.6 Commune of Messancy

2.3.4.7 Commune of Nassogne

2.3.4.8 Commune of Paliseul

2.3.5 Province of Namur (1830/NOW)

2.3.5.1 Commune of Floreffe

2.3.5.2 Commune of Fosses-la-Ville

2.3.5.3 Commune of Gedinne

2.3.5.4 Commune of Gesves

2.3.5.5 Commune of Houyet

2.3.5.6 Commune of Jemeppe-sur-Sambre

2.3.5.7 City of Namur

2.3.5.8 Commune of Ohey

2.3.5.9 Commune of Profondeville

2.3.5.10 Commune of Rochefort

2.3.5.11 Commune of Somme-Leuze

2.3.5.12 Commune of Viroinval

2.4 Deutsche Gemeinschaft in Belgien (1973/NOW)

2.5 Communauté française en Belgique (1973/NOW)

2.6 Vlaamse Gemeenschap (1973/NOW)

2.6.1 Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

2.7 Belgian Province of Brabant (1830/1994-DEC-31)

2.8 Belgian Political Parties

2.8.1 Vlaams Blok (197?/NOW)

2.8.2 Vlaams Nationaal Verbond (1933/44)

2.8.3 Belgian Political Party Volksunie (195?/NU)

2.9 Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation Aérienne (SABENA)

Last modification: 1997-07-28