Denmark will reinstate a ban on flying foreign flags starting January 1, 2025, to emphasize the symbolic importance of its national flag, the Dannebrog.
The new law, passed by the Folketing, follows a Supreme Court ruling earlier this year that overturned a 1915 ban, allowing foreign flags on private property.
Exceptions include flags of Nordic countries, Germany, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands, as well as allowances for events like demonstrations and sports. Special permits can be issued, and the justice minister may allow exemptions, such as the current permission for Ukraine’s flag.
Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard defended the law, calling the Dannebrog “the most important national symbol we have in Denmark” and a unifying emblem of Danish identity.
The legislation received broad support, especially from conservatives, following a court case involving a family fined for flying the American flag. Critics see the law as overly restrictive, but supporters argue it preserves Denmark’s cultural heritage. Exceptions aim to balance these concerns with practical flexibility.
