Am I allowed to fly the Norwegian flag any day I want?
Yes — since the 2021 law change, private individuals can fly the Norwegian flag on any day of the year, not only on official flag days. But the freedom covers the day, not the clock: the flag goes up at 8am (9am from November to February) and comes down at sunset, never later than 9pm — unless it is illuminated, in which case it may stay up. The flag must not touch the ground and must be in good condition. Other flags, such as the Sami, Pride or foreign flags, can also be flown much more freely since 2021. Municipal buildings set their own flagging, while state buildings follow the fixed flag days — the free flagging is yours, not the state's.
📋 The rules
- Private individuals can fly the flag on any day (since 2021)
- Up at 8am (9am Nov–Feb)
- Down at sunset, by 9pm at the latest
- The flag must not touch the ground and be in good condition
- Other flags (Sami, Pride, foreign) can be flown more freely
🔓 Exceptions
- An illuminated flag can stay up after 9pm
- Municipal buildings set their own flagging
- State buildings follow the fixed official flag days
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Desecrating or insulting the Norwegian flag, or a foreign nation's flag, can be punished under the Penal Code with a fine or short imprisonment — the protection runs both ways, not only for the Norwegian flag. The freedom to fly the flag, by contrast, carries no sanction: since 2021 private individuals can fly it on any day of the year, without asking anyone. What remains bound are the times and the condition: the flag goes up at 8am, 9am from November to February, comes down at sunset and by 9pm at the latest unless illuminated, must not touch the ground and must be in good condition.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I fly the Norwegian flag any day I want?
Yes. Since 2021 private individuals can fly the Norwegian flag on any day of the year, not only on official flag days. The freedom covers the day — the morning and evening flag times still apply.
When should the flag go up and come down?
Up at 8am, but 9am from November to February, and down at sunset, never later than 9pm. If the flag is illuminated it may stay up longer, and otherwise it must not touch the ground and must be in good condition.
Can I fly a Pride or Sami flag?
Yes. Since the 2021 law change, other flags such as the Sami, Pride and foreign flags can be flown much more freely than before. Municipal buildings set their own flagging, while state buildings follow the fixed flag days.
Can the flag stay out at night?
Only if it is illuminated. Otherwise it must come down at sunset, by 9pm at the latest — it is the lighting, not the night itself, that decides whether the flag can stay up, and it must be in good condition either way.
Is there a penalty for desecrating the flag?
Yes. Desecrating or insulting the flag can be punished under the Penal Code with a fine or short imprisonment, and the protection also covers a foreign nation's flag, not only the Norwegian one. Flying the flag itself has been free since 2021.
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