Protocol

When Can You Hang Out the Dutch Flag?

If you want to fly the Dutch flag, you can follow the official flag instruction (flag protocol). For private individuals, following the flag instruction is not mandatory. You are also free to fly the Dutch flag on other days.

For government buildings, however, the flag instruction applies.

Flag Instruction

The Prime Minister has issued a flag instruction for displaying the Dutch flag on government buildings. It specifies the days on which the flag should be flown and also applies to local governments.

There are two types of flag display:

  • Extended flag display (UV) – the flag is flown from all government buildings.
  • Limited flag display (BV) – the flag is flown only from the main buildings of ministries and certain institutions.

Which Buildings Are Included in a Limited Flag Display?

With a limited flag display, the flag is flown from the main buildings of ministries and institutions such as:

  • The Chambers of the States General
  • The Council of State
  • The Court of Audit
  • The National Ombudsman
  • The King’s Cabinet
  • The Supreme Court of the Netherlands

Official Flag Days in the Netherlands

The Dutch flag instruction specifies the following days for government buildings. If a date falls on a Sunday or Christian holiday, the alternative date shown in parentheses applies.

  • January 31 (February 1)
    Birthday of Princess Beatrix (BV)
  • April 27 (April 26)
    King’s Day – birthday of King Willem-Alexander (UV)
  • May 4
    Remembrance Day – the flag is flown at half-mast from 6:00 p.m. until sunset (UV)
  • May 5
    Liberation Day (UV)
  • May 17 (May 18)
    Birthday of Queen Máxima (BV)
  • Last Saturday in June
    Veterans Day (UV)
  • August 15 (August 16)
    Formal end of World War II (WW)
  • Third Tuesday of September
    Prince’s Day – only in The Hague (UV)
  • December 7 (December 8)
    Birthday of Princess Catharina-Amalia (BV)
  • December 15 (December 16)
    Kingdom Day (BV)

How to Hang and Hoist the Dutch Flag

  • The flag must never touch the ground.
  • The flag must not obstruct traffic, including when it is flown at half-mast.
  • The flagpole must be long enough to ensure the flag can be displayed safely.
  • Flags should not be flown between sunset and sunrise.
  • The flag may remain flying after sunset if its colors are clearly visible.

How to Fly the Flag at Half-Mast

When the Dutch flag is to be flown at half-mast:

  1. Raise the flag first to its full height.
  2. Lower it slowly and stately until the center of the flag is halfway between the top of the flagpole and its normal position.
  3. Secure the flag rope. The flag itself should not be tied.

When lowering a flag that has been flying at half-mast:

  1. First raise the flag slowly and stately to its full height.
  2. Then lower it completely in the same slow and stately manner.

The Dutch Flag

The Dutch flag is a symbol of the unity and independence of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

When the Dutch flag is displayed on Dutch territory alongside other flags, it must always occupy the place of honor.

Flag Dimensions and Colors

There are no specific regulations concerning the dimensions of the Dutch flag. However, its proportions must always be:

Length : Width = 3 : 2

The official colors are:

  • Bright vermilion – top stripe
  • Bright white – middle stripe
  • Cobalt blue – bottom stripe

Decorative additions or decorations are not permitted on the Dutch flag.

Orange Pennant and Royal Occasions

On King’s Day and on the birthdays of members of the Royal Family, the Dutch flag is flown together with an orange pennant.

On all other occasions, the Dutch flag is flown without an orange pennant.

Special flag instructions may be issued for important events within the Royal Family, such as:

  • Births
  • Marriages
  • Deaths

During an official visit by a foreign head of state, the Dutch flag is flown only at the locations being visited.

Flying Multiple Flags

When two or more flags are displayed together, they must be the same size and hung at the same height.

Two Flags

When two flags are displayed, the place of honor is on the right, viewed while standing with your back to the flags.

Three Flags

When three flags are displayed, the Dutch flag occupies the center position.

When the Dutch, provincial, and municipal flags are displayed together, the standard arrangement is:

  • Left: Municipal flag
  • Center: Dutch flag
  • Right: Provincial flag

Only when the display concerns a municipal matter should the municipal flag be placed on the right.

Flags of Other Countries

When flags of other countries are displayed alongside the Dutch flag, their order is determined by the first letter of the country name in French.

Which Royal Birthdays Are Flag Days?

Not every member of the Dutch Royal Family has a birthday that is included in the official flag instruction.

There is no requirement to fly the Dutch flag on the birthdays of:

  • Princess Alexia
  • Princess Ariane

Their birthdays are not included in the flag instruction because they are not next in line to the throne after King Willem-Alexander.

Princess Catharina-Amalia, however, is the heir apparent. Her birthday, December 7, is therefore included in the official flag instruction.

Quick Summary

For private individuals, there is generally no requirement to wait for an official flag day before flying the Dutch flag. You may fly the flag on other days as well, provided it is displayed respectfully and safely.

On official flag days, government buildings follow the national flag instruction, including specific rules for King’s Day, Remembrance Day, Liberation Day, Veterans Day, and other designated occasions.