How to Fly the Romanian Flag Correctly: Rules, Dates and Practical Tips

Every year, a few weeks before 1 December, the same questions come up. Can I keep the flag on my balcony all year? Which way round does it go? Where does it go if I also fly the EU flag? What do I do on a day of national mourning?

This guide answers them in one place, based on what the law actually says.

• What the flag looks like
• Who may fly it, and where
• Flag days
• Half-mast
• Next to other flags
• Condition of the flag
• Choosing the size
• FAQ
• Sources

01What the Romanian flag looks like

The flag of Romania is a tricolour with three vertical stripes of equal width: blue next to the pole, then yellow, then red. It is rectangular, and its width is two thirds of its length, a 2:3 ratio (Law 75/1994, art. 1). A 90 × 135 cm or a 100 × 150 cm flag, for example, keeps the official proportions exactly.

Since 2023, no inscriptions or symbols may be added to the flag other than those approved by law or by military regulations (Law 176/2023). A tricolour with added text, a logo or a coat of arms is no longer the national flag in the legal sense. For a custom design, choose a separate flag or banner.

02Who may fly the flag, and where

Public authorities and institutions must fly the flag permanently, both on their buildings and inside, especially in the offices of their leadership and in ceremonial rooms (norms approved by Government Decision 1157/2001, art. 1–2). Town halls, county councils and prefectures fly two flags above the main entrance, one on each side of the coat of arms of Romania (art. 2(3)).

The flag is also flown permanently at the offices of political parties, trade unions and employers' organisations, at schools of every level and cultural institutions, at border crossings, airports, ports, and railway and bus stations (art. 3).

Private persons and companies may fly it too. The law allows anyone to fly the flag at their home or residence, and companies at their premises, permanently, not only on holidays (Law 75/1994, art. 4; norms, art. 5). So yes: the flag can stay on your balcony all year.

03The days when the flag is flown

For public authorities, flying the flag is mandatory on these occasions (norms, art. 4):

• 1 December – Romania's National Day
• 26 June – National Flag Day (established by Law 96/1998)
• 29 July – National Anthem Day
• other national holidays, such as 24 January – the Union of the Romanian Principalities
• official ceremonies, official state visits, sports competitions and election campaigns (at electoral offices and polling stations)

On these occasions, mayors are required to encourage citizens to fly the flag at home (art. 4(2)). If your town hall makes such an appeal before 1 December, this is the legal basis.

04Days of national mourning: the flag at half-mast

On days of national mourning set by the Government, the flag is flown at half-mast (Law 75/1994, art. 6). The obligation applies to the institutions and organisations above, and also to private persons who fly the flag at home (norms, art. 8).

On a flagpole, first raise the flag to the top, then lower it to about half the height of the pole. At the end of the day, raise it to the top again before taking it down completely.

On a balcony or a facade bracket the flag cannot be lowered. In that case, the rule is to tie a black ribbon to the top of the pole.

05Flying the Romanian flag next to other flags

The EU and NATO flags. Since 2023, wherever the Romanian flag is flown, the flag of the European Union and the NATO flag may be flown as well (Law 176/2023). That is why most town halls and schools show the tricolour next to the EU flag.

Order of the flags (norms, art. 9, which also applies to the European flag under art. 10):

• Two flags: the Romanian flag goes on the left, looking at the flags from the front
• An odd number of flags (3, 5…): the Romanian flag goes in the middle
• An even number of flags (4, 6…): the Romanian flag goes in the centre pair, on the left, looking from the front
• All flags are the same size and are flown at the same height

Flags of other countries. The flag of another state may be flown in Romania only together with the national flag, and only for official visits, international festivities and meetings, on official buildings and in public places set by the local authorities (Law 75/1994, art. 7; norms, art. 6). If you are organising an international event or conference, plan for both flags – see also our national flags of the world.

For buildings and offices there is also a Romania + EU flag set, 90 × 135 cm.

06Keep the flag in good condition

Flying the Romanian flag in poor condition – faded, frayed or torn – is a contravention (an administrative offence), and so is flying a flag whose shape, proportions or colours differ from the official ones (norms, art. 24(1)(a) and (e)). For institutions the risk is very real. For everyone else it is simply a matter of respect for the flag.

A flag that stays outdoors all year wears out faster than one flown only on holidays: wind, sun and rain all take their toll. A few tips:

• Choose a fabric made for outdoor use. For exposed places – high floors, the seaside, the mountains – go for an extra-durable flag
• Take the flag in when a storm is coming
• Wash it gently when it gets dirty, and replace it as soon as the colours lose their intensity or the edge starts to fray. More in our flag care guide

07Which size to choose

The flag should suit the pole or the place where it flies. As a rough guide:

• Balcony or window: 60 × 90 cm or 90 × 135 cm
• Facade bracket: 90 × 135 cm or 100 × 150 cm – or a complete kit with pole and wall bracket
• Flagpole: depends on its height – see our size guide
• Desk or hand flag: 15 × 21 cm

For recommendations by flagpole height, read our guide “What flag size should I choose?”.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Law no. 75/1994 on flying the flag of Romania, singing the national anthem and the use of seals bearing the coat of arms of Romania by public authorities and institutions (Monitorul Oficial no. 237 of 26.08.1994), as amended
• Government Decision no. 1157/2001 approving the norms on flying the flag of Romania, singing the national anthem and the use of seals bearing the coat of arms of Romania (Monitorul Oficial no. 776 of 05.12.2001)
• Law no. 96/1998 proclaiming National Flag Day
• Law no. 176/2023 amending Law no. 75/1994 (in force since 23.06.2023)