Am I allowed to fly foreign flags in Denmark?
You may fly Dannebrog freely, but a foreign flag generally needs police permission again. After a Supreme Court ruling in 2023, foreign flags were free for a year and a half, but a new Flag Act took effect on 1 January 2025 and reinstated the ban. Private individuals use the rectangular flag; the swallow-tailed flag is reserved for the state and the royal house. A foreign flag is forbidden without permission — exempt are the Nordic flags, the German and the Ukrainian, plus flags of international bodies such as the UN, EU and NATO. Non-national flags such as the rainbow flag are always legal. Waving a handheld flag is not covered by the ban.
📋 The rules
- You may fly Dannebrog freely (the rectangular flag)
- The swallow-tailed flag is reserved for the state and royal house
- A foreign flag needs police permission again (since 2025)
- Exempt: Nordic, German and Ukrainian flags
- UN, EU, NATO and the rainbow flag are always legal
🔓 Exceptions
- Nordic flags, the German and the Ukrainian flag may be flown without permission
- Flags of international bodies and non-national flags are always legal
- Waving a handheld flag is not covered by the ban
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Flying a banned foreign flag without permission can bring a fine. The law sets no fixed fine tariff. Misuse of the swallow-tailed flag can be punished under the Penal Code.
📎 Official sources
- Flag Act · Retsinformation →
- Politi.dk · Permission for a foreign flag →
- Domstol.dk · Flying the US flag (2023) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I fly Dannebrog whenever I want?
Yes. Private individuals may freely fly Dannebrog as the rectangular flag. The swallow-tailed flag is reserved for the state.
Can I fly a foreign flag?
Generally only with police permission again since 1 January 2025. Nordic, German and Ukrainian flags are, however, exempt.
What happened in 2023?
A Supreme Court ruling made foreign flags free, but a new Flag Act reinstated the ban from 1 January 2025.
Can I fly the rainbow flag?
Yes. Non-national flags such as the rainbow flag are always legal and are not covered by the ban.
What is the penalty for flying illegally?
A fine. The law sets no fixed fine tariff, and misuse of the swallow-tailed flag can be punished under the Penal Code.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I fly foreign flag denmark”
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- “nordic german ukrainian flag”
- “rainbow flag legal”