Danish Government Proposes Reinstating Ban on Foreign Flag Flying to Preserve National Symbolism

The government believes that the Danish flag, Dannebrog, has a very special significance for Denmark and the Danes, and therefore they intend to affirm that status by prohibiting the flying of other countries’ national and regional flags

Today, the Minister of Justice has sent the bill for public consultation.

Last summer, the Supreme Court ruled that there was no legal basis to prohibit the flying of flags from other countries. In that specific case, the Supreme Court did not find it justifiable to forbid a person from flying the flag of the USA.

In March of this year, the government, along with a broad majority in the Folketing (Danish Parliament), voted to reintroduce the ban.

“Dannebrog is the most important national symbol we have in Denmark. A symbol that unites the Danes as a people. The government believes that Dannebrog as a flag should enjoy a very special status in Denmark. I also believe that this very special status should lead to the reinstatement of rules about flag flying, so that it is not possible to freely fly flags from other countries. This has been the case for more than 100 years, and it should be so again,” stated Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard.

The proposed law suggests that flying national flags of other countries, regional flags of other countries, and flags that could be equated with them will be prohibited from flagpoles. The law is expected to come into effect on January 1, 2025.

According to the bill, there will be a number of exceptions to the ban.

For example, the ban will not include flying flags of Denmark’s Nordic neighbors, or the Greenlandic, Faroese, or German flags. Furthermore, flying flags representing international or regional associations will not be prohibited. Also, the Minister of Justice may exempt flags from the ban in extraordinary situations, such as, for example, the Ukrainian flag. Additionally, the police may grant specific permissions for flag flying upon request.

The proposed ban will only apply to flag flying from flagpoles. This means that it will not be prohibited to use flags or banners, for instance, in demonstrations or sporting events.

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