Flags other than the federal flag, the federal institutions flag, the European flag, the flags of the Länder of the Federal Republic of Germany and flags of the municipalities (associations of municipalities) may be displayed only with the approval of the Federal Ministry of the Interior (Section IV paragraph 4 first sentence of the Federal Government Decree concerning flag displays at federal buildings). In cases of special importance or significance, the Federal Government shall decide.

Flag with the logo of the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) (Larger version opens in new window) Source: Protokoll Inland

Approval given due to special importance or significance

Flags bearing logos are rarely permitted for the federal area and must have special federal or national significance, as in the case of:

• the flags bearing the logo of the German EU Presidency in 2007
• flags for EXPO 2000 in Hanover
• flags for the 20th anniversary of German reunification in 2009/2010.

Approval denied

The federal (institutional) flag is a state symbol and an element of national representation. It stands for the uniformity and continuity of government action, and is intended to promote serves to make citizens’ identification with the state. State neutrality is essential to maintain public acceptance of state symbols. For this reason and so as not to create precedents, requests to fly flags with logos from official federal buildings are generally denied, if the occasion does not have a national dimension, as was the case with requests to fly flags bearing the logo of Terre des femmes e. V. or Equal Pay Day. Denial of approval is not based on the content represented by the logos. There are numerous ways for the government and authorities to express solidarity with persons suffering discrimination, for instance during Pride Weeks or Christopher Street Day rallies, or to advocate fundamental and human rights without using state symbols.

So far, neither the Federal Ministry of the Interior nor the Federal Government has endorsed the display of the rainbow flag.

Flag with the logo of the world exposition EXPO2000 in Hanover (Larger version opens in new window) Source: BReg/Engelbert Reinecke

Own flags

If a federal authority or office, or a public-law corporation, institution or foundation under federal supervision has a flag bearing its own logo, it may in principle fly this flag. This does not apply, however, to regularly recurring general flag display days, nor when directives to display flags on special occasions are announced. On such occasions, only the federal (institutions) flag and the European flag (as appropriate) are to be hoisted.

Design

Flags bearing logos may display neither the federal coat of arms nor the federal shield, nor should they be a variation on the federal institutions flag. In case of doubt, the Federal Ministry of the Interior decides. The federal colours may be used.