The Saeima1 has adopted and
the President has proclaimed the following Law:
Law On the
National Flag of Latvia
Chapter I
General Provisions
Section 1. Purpose of This Law
The purpose of this Law is to prescribe uniform principles for
the use of the national flag of Latvia.
Section 2. Description of the
National Flag of Latvia
(1) The national flag of Latvia is carmine with a white
horizontal stripe.
(2) The red-white-red stripe ratio of the national flag of
Latvia is 2:1:2.
(3) The width to length ratio of the National flag of Latvia
is 1:2.
(4) The red-white-red ratio of the national flag of Latvia, as
well as the width to length ratio irrespective of the dimensions
of the flag, shall conform to the sample indicated in Annex 1 to
this Law.
(5) The national flag of Latvia is a Latvian State symbol.
Section 3. General Provisions for the Use of the
National Flag of Latvia and Prohibition on the Use of the
National Flag of Latvia
(1) The national flag of Latvia shall be used in the cases and
in accordance with the procedures prescribed by this Law and
other regulatory enactments, guaranteeing it due respect.
(2) It is prohibited to use the national flag of Latvia:
1) on buildings, which are in a state of critical
disrepair;
2) on buildings, which are undergoing repair of their facades;
and
3) in other inappropriate places and circumstances.
(3) It shall be prohibited to use a damaged, faded, dirty or
otherwise inappropriate national flag of Latvia.
(4) A national flag of Latvia which is unfit for use shall be
destroyed in a dignified manner.
Chapter
II
The Order of Precedence, by Which the National Flag of Latvia
Shall Be Used Together with Other Flags
Section 4. The Order of Precedence, by Which the
National Flag of Latvia Shall Be Used Together with Other
Flags
(1) If other flags are used together with the national flag of
Latvia, they shall be arranged in the following order:
1) the national flag of Latvia;
2) the national flag of another country;
3) the flag of an international public organisation;
4) the Presidential Standard of Latvia;
5) the Standard of the Speaker of the Saeima;
6) the Standard of the Prime Minister;
7) a Ministerial Standard;
8) the Standard of the Minister for Defence;
9) the flag of an institution of another country;
10) the Flag of the Commander of the National Armed
Forces;
11) the Flag of a Component of the National Armed Forces;
12) the flag of an administrative territory and the
territorial divisional units thereof;
13) the flag of an international non-governmental
organisation;
14) other flags.
(2) If a number of other state or international public
organisation flags are used together with the national flag of
Latvia, they shall be arranged in the following manner:
1) at an event on a Latvian scale flags of the one type, for
example, national flags, shall be arranged in alphabetical order
of the name of the country in Latvian;
2) at an event in Latvia organised on an international scale
flags of the one type, for example, national flags, shall be
arranged in alphabetical order of the name of the country in
English or in the official working language of the event.
(3) If an international public organisation has organised an
event in Latvia, the national flag of Latvia shall be used in
accordance with Latvia's place in the approved order of
precedence of such an organisation.
(4) Consultations regarding the procedures for use of the
national flag of Latvia in accordance with international protocol
norms shall be provided by the State Protocol of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs.
Chapter
III
Use of the National Flag of Latvia and Other Flags on
Buildings
Section 5. The Permanent Placing of the National
Flag of Latvia on Buildings
(1) The national flag of Latvia shall be permanently
placed:
1) on the Tower of the Holy Spirit of the Rīga Castle;
2) on the Jūrmala residence of the President of Latvia;
3) on the main building of the Saeima;
4) on the Cabinet of Ministers Building;
5) on ministry buildings;
6) on courthouses;
7) on the buildings of the Office of the Prosecutor General
and Ombudsman;
8) on the Joint Headquarters of the National Armed Forces
building;
9) on the Head Office building of the Bank of Latvia and on
the buildings of branches of the Bank of Latvia;
10) on the council buildings of cities of the Republic and
counties;
11) on border control point and border crossing point
buildings;
12) on Diplomatic and Consular representation buildings of
Latvia, if this is technically possible and it is not
contradictory to the regulatory enactments of the host country
and diplomatic protocol traditions;
13) on educational institution buildings.
(2) The national flag of Latvia may also be permanently placed
on other buildings, guaranteeing them the proper respect.
(3) If the buildings referred to in Paragraph one of this
Section are undergoing major repairs or the facades of these
buildings are being repaired, a decision regarding the relocation
of the national flag of Latvia shall be taken by the head of the
relevant institution referred to in Paragraph one of this
Section.
Section 6. The Principles for Using
the State National Flag of Latvia and Other Flags
(1) If another flag is used together with the national flag of
Latvia on the facade of a building, the national flag of Latvia
shall be positioned on the left side, but the other flag - on the
right side, when looking at the facade of the building (Paragraph
1 of Annex 2 to this Law).
(2) If a number of other flags are used together with the
national flag of Latvia on the facade of a building, the national
flag of Latvia shall be placed on the left side, but the other
flags - in the protocol precedence prescribed by this Law to the
right of the national flag of Latvia, when looking at the facade
of the building (Paragraph 2 of Annex 2 to this Law).
(3) If other flags are used together with the national flag of
Latvia on flag poles, they shall be arranged in the following
order:
1) the national flag of Latvia shall be placed at the head of
the row, but the other flags - in the protocol precedence
prescribed by this Law on the right of the national flag of
Latvia, when looking at the row of flag poles ( Paragraph 2 of
Annex 2 to this Law);
2) the national flag of Latvia shall be placed at the head of
the row and at the end, but the other flags - in the protocol
precedence prescribed by this Law on the right of the national
flag of Latvia, when looking at the row of flag poles ( Paragraph
2 of Annex 3 to this Law).
(4) If the flags referred to in Section 4, Paragraph one,
Clauses 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 or 13 of this Law are
used together with the national flag of Latvia, their width
thereof must conform with the width of the national flag of
Latvia.
Section 7. Use of the National Flag of Latvia on
Days of Holidays, Commemoration and Celebration
(1) The national flag of Latvia shall be placed on public
buildings, buildings of legal persons governed by private law and
associations of persons, as well as on residential buildings, on
1 May, 4 May, 11 November and 18 November.
(2) The national flag of Latvia in mourning presentation shall
be placed on public buildings, buildings of legal persons
governed by private law and associations of persons, as well as
on residential buildings, on 25 March, 14 June, 17 June, 4 July
and on the first Sunday of December.
(3) The national flag of Latvia shall also be used on other
occasions prescribed by the Cabinet or local governments.
(4) The national flag of Latvia may also be used at folk,
religious and family celebrations, commemoration days and other
occasions, guaranteeing it proper respect.
Section 8. Use of the National Flag of Latvia on the
Day of Restoration of the Lithuanian State and the Estonian Day
of Independence
(1) On the Day of Restoration of the Lithuanian State - 16
February - the national flag of Lithuania shall be placed next to
the national flag of Latvia on the Tower of the Holy Spirit of
the Rīga Castle, on the main building of the Saeima and
the Cabinet of Ministers Building.
(2) On the Estonian Day of Independence - 24 February - the
national flag of Estonia shall be placed next to the national
flag of Latvia on the Tower of the Holy Spirit of the Rīga
Castle, on the main building of the Saeima and the Cabinet
of Ministers Building.
Section 9. Use of the National Flag of Latvia on an
Election Day and a Referendum Day
The national flag of Latvia shall be placed on buildings,
where polling stations have been installed:
1) on a Saiema election day;
2) on an election day for Republican city and county
councils;
3) on a European Parliament election day; and
4) on a Referendum day.
Chapter
IV
Use of the National Flag of Latvia in Premises
Section 10. Use of the National Flag
of Latvia in Premises
(1) If the national flag of Latvia is used together with other
flags at a marked place within a room (at a console, microphone,
table) during international negotiations, during the signing of
interstate, intergovernmental, interdepartmental agreements or
during a press conference, it shall be placed:
1) behind the right shoulder of the official of the Latvian
State, but the other flags - in the left shoulder direction
according to the protocol order;
2) behind the official of the Latvian State, but the flag of
another state or international public organisation - behind the
relevant official (Paragraph 5 of Annex 2 to this Law). The guest
during the time of the meeting at the marked place shall be on
the right hand side of the official of the Latvian State.
(2) If the national flag of Latvia is used with other flags in
an unmarked place within a room, it shall be placed:
1) at the left hand side of the row, but the other flags - in
the protocol precedence prescribed by this Law on the right of
it, when looking at the row of flags ( Paragraph 2 of Annex 2 to
this Law);
2) at the head and end of the row of flags, but in the middle
- the other flags in the protocol precedence prescribed by this
Law from the left to the right (Paragraph 3 of Annex 2 to this
Law);
3) in the middle, but the other flags - in alphabetical order
according to the name of the state on both sides of the national
flag of Latvia (Paragraph 4 of Annex 2 to this Law), in
accordance with the requirements of Section 4, Paragraph two of
this Law.
(3) The principles for the use of the national flag of Latvia
as prescribed in Paragraphs one and two of this Section may also
be used during private business negotiations, entering contracts,
during press conferences and other events.
Section 11. Permanent Use of the
National Flag of Latvia in the Working Premises of State
Officials
(1) The national flag of Latvia shall be permanently
placed:
1) in the office of the President of Latvia;
2) in the office of the Speaker of the Saeima and the
Saeima Chamber;
3) in the Cabinet meeting room;
4) in the offices of the Prime Minister and other members of
the Cabinet;
5) in the offices of the Chief Justice of the Constitutional
Court and of the judges of the Constitutional Court, as well as
in the Constitutional Court's courtroom;
6) in the offices of the Chief Judges and the chairpersons of
courthouses:
7) in the office of the Prosecutor General and Ombudsman;
and
8) in the offices of the heads of diplomatic and consular
representations.
(2) The national flag of Latvia shall be placed in the offices
of the officials of the Latvian State specified in Paragraph one
of this Section in accordance with the principles referred to in
Section 10 of this Law.
Section 12. Placement of the
National Flag of Latvia on a Table
(1) During international negotiations, during the signing of
interstate, intergovernmental, interdepartmental agreements or
during a press conference the Latvia's representative may use a
proportionally reduced national flag of Latvia on the table,
placing it in the following way:
1) during international negotiations - in front of the head of
the delegation to the right;
2) during the signing of interstate, intergovernmental,
interdepartmental agreements - in front of the person to the
right, who is signing the document; and
3) during a press conference - in front of the person to the
right, who is presenting information at the press conference.
(2) During an international event, for example, a conference,
meeting, at working group meetings, the national flag of Latvia
regardless of the position of the person may be placed in front
of the Latvia's representative to the right.
Chapter V
The Use and Mounting of the National Flag of Latvia on the
Official Car of a State Official
Section 13. The Use of the National
Flag of Latvia on the Official Car of a State Official
The national flag of Latvia shall be used on an official
car:
1) by the President of Latvia, Chair of the Saeima,
Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, when
performing official duties in foreign states, if it is not
contradictory to the regulatory enactments of the host country
and diplomatic protocol traditions;
2) by the heads of diplomatic and consular representations,
when performing official duties in foreign states, if it is not
contradictory to the regulatory enactments of the host country
and diplomatic protocol traditions; and
3) during a visit by an official of a foreign state in Latvia
in accordance with the requirements of Section 14, Paragraph two
of this Law.
Section 14. The Mounting of the
National Flag of Latvia on the Official Car of a State
Official
(1) A proportionally reduced national flag shall be mounted on
the front right wing of the official car of a State official.
(2) If together with the State official of Latvia referred to
in Section 13, Clause 1 of this Law there is an official of a
corresponding rank from another state or international public
organisation, a proportionally reduced national flag of Latvia
shall be mounted on the front left wing of the car, but the flag
of the other state or international public organisation - on the
front right wing of the car corresponding to the place of the
official in the car.
Chapter
VI
Use of the National Flag of Latvia in Cases of Mourning
Section 15. The National Flag in Mourning
Presentation
(1) If the national flag of Latvia is to be raised in mourning
presentation, a black ribbon shall be attached above the flag,
the width of which shall be 1/20 of the width of the flag and the
length shall conform with the width.
(2) A national flag of Latvia shall be lowered at half mast
without a mourning ribbon.
(3) At locations, where the national flag of Latvia is used
together with other flags, the mourning presentation shall only
be used with the national flag of Latvia.
Section 16. Use of the National Flag
During a Funeral Ceremony
(1) The national flag of Latvia may be used during a funeral
ceremony. In such case it shall be used in mourning presentation,
except for the case referred to in Paragraph two of this
Section.
(2) During a funeral ceremony the coffin may be draped with
the national flag of Latvia. The national flag of Latvia shall be
removed from the coffin prior to lowering the coffin into the
grave or prior to cremation of the deceased.
Chapter
VII
Use of the National Flag of Latvia for Decorative Purposes
Section 17. Use of the National Flag of Latvia for
Decorative Purposes
(1) The national flag of Latvia may be used for decorative
purposes, guaranteeing it proper respect.
(2) If the national flag of Latvia is used for decorative
purposes, the width to length proportion may differ from the
standard prescribed in Section 2 of this law, however the colour
tones and the red-white-red ratio of the stripes prescribed in
regulatory enactments shall be retained.
(3) If the national flag of Latvia is used for decorative
purposes, it retains the status of a Latvian State emblem.
Section 18. Pennant of the National
Flag of Latvia
(1) The pennant of the national flag of Latvia is a
trapezoidal fabric ribbon in the colours and colour proportions
of the national flag of Latvia. The ratio of the width to the
length of the pennant of the national flag of Latvia shall
conform with the proportions indicated in Annex 3 to this
Law.
(2) The pennant of the national flag of Latvia shall have the
same protection under the law as the national flag of Latvia.
(3) The pennant of the national flag of Latvia shall not be
used on a flag pole on the facade of a building.
(4) The pennant of the national flag of Latvia may be used by
guaranteeing it proper respect.
(5) The pennant of the national flag of Latvia does not
replace the national flag of Latvia.
Section 19. Use of the Depiction of
the National Flag of Latvia
(1) A depiction of the national flag of Latvia may be used by
guaranteeing it proper respect.
(2) It is prohibited to use a depiction of the national flag
of Latvia as a trademark or service mark.
(3) Paragraph two of this Section shall not apply to the
utilisation of the colours and colour proportions of the national
flag of Latvia as elements of trademarks and service marks.
Chapter
VIII
Procedures for the Monitoring of the Use of the National Flag of
Latvia and Application of the Law
Section 20. Liability Regarding Violation of the
Regulations for the Use of the National Flag of Latvia
A person responsible for desecration of the national flag of
Latvia and showing open disrespect towards it, as well as
violation of the regulations for the use of the national flag of
Latvia, shall be subject to the liability as set out by the
law.
Section 21. Opinion Regarding the Compliance of the
National Flag of Latvia, Pennant of the National Flag of Latvia
and Depiction of the National Flag of Latvia to the Requirements
of Regulatory Enactments
An opinion regarding the compliance of the national flag of
Latvia, pennant of the national flag of Latvia and depiction of
the national flag of Latvia to the requirements of regulatory
enactments shall be provided by the Latvian State Heraldry
Commission.
Section 22. Procedures for the
Application of the Law On the National Flag of Latvia
(1) The Cabinet shall prescribe:
1) the tones in accordance with the material and technique of
the national flag of Latvia, pennant of the national flag and
depiction of the national flag, taking into consideration the
opinion of the Latvian State Heraldry Commission;
2) the time for raising and the arrangement, height and the
procedures for using the national flag of Latvia and the pennant
of the national flag of Latvia, as well as the procedures for the
preparation and presentation of the flag staff and flag pole;
3) procedures for the use of the National Flag of Latvia on
Latvian ships;
4) cases, in which the national flag of Latvia shall be used
together with the flag of another state or international public
organisation, as well as the procedures for the use thereof.
(2) The procedure for the use of the national flag of Latvia
by the National Armed Forces, as well as in military parades and
ceremonies, shall be determined by the Minister for Defence.
Transitional
Provisions
1. With the coming into force of this Law, the Law On the
National Flag of Latvia (Latvijas Republikas Saeimas un
Ministru Kabineta Ziņotājs, 1995, No. 2; 2000, No. 12; 2001,
No. 5; 2004, No. 12; 2009, No. 3) is repealed.
2. By 1 May 2010 the Cabinet shall issue the regulations
referred to in Section 22, Paragraph one, Clauses 1, 2 and 4 of
this Law.
3. Until the day of the coming into force of the Cabinet
regulations referred to in Section 22, Paragraph one, Clause 2 of
this Law, but not longer than until 1 May 2010, the Cabinet
Regulation No. 412 of 25 September 2001, Application of the
Provisions of the Law On the National Flag of Latvia, shall be in
force, insofar as it is not in contradiction to this Law.
4. Until the day of the coming into force of the Cabinet
regulations referred to in Section 22, Paragraph one, Clause 3 of
this Law, but not longer than until 1 January 2010, the Cabinet
Regulation No. 252 of 9 July 1996, Regulations Regarding the
Application of the Procedures for the Use of the National Flag of
Latvia on Latvian Ships, shall be in force, insofar as it is not
in contradiction to this Law.
This Law shall come into force on the day following the
proclamation thereof.
This Law has been adopted by the Saeima on 29 October
2009.
President V. Zatlers
Rīga, 17 November 2009
Law On the National Flag of
Latvia
Annex 1
Ratio of the
Width to the Length of the National Flag of Latvia
The red-white-red stripe ratio of the national flag of
Latvia

Law On the National Flag of
Latvia
Annex 2
Flag
Placement
1. Placement of a flag on a building, when looking at the
facade of the building.

2. Placement of a flag on a building, when looking at the
facade of the building. Flag placement on a row of flagpoles.
Flag placement within premises, when looking at a row of
flags.

3. Flag placement on flag poles, when looking at a row of flag
poles. Flag placement within premises, when looking at a row of
flags.

4. Flag placement within premises, when looking at a row of
flags.

5. Flag placement at a marked place within a room (at a
console, microphone, table).

Law On the National Flag of
Latvia
Annex 3
Ratio of the
Width to the Length of the Pennant of the National Flag of
Latvia
Ratio of the width to the length of the pennant of the
national flag of Latvia

1 The Parliament of the Republic of
Latvia
Translation © 2012 Valsts valodas centrs (State
Language Centre)