🚩 Flag Day on 1 January in Norway: when to raise and lower the flag, who flies it and what to look out for 🎆
1 January in Norway is both an official flag day and a public holiday (helligdag). It is a "quiet" day: services operate on a holiday schedule, and flags are raised according to winter rules. The official list of flag days includes 1. nyttårsdag (New Year's Day).
Flag protocol on 1 January (winter rules)
When to raise and lower the flag:
● From November to February, the flag is raised at 09:00 and lowered at sunset.
● In Nurland, Tromsø and Finnmark, there is a shortened window in winter: 10:00–15:00.
● The rules are published by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD) in the section "Norges flagg".
Who is required to fly the flag:
● Government agencies fly the national flag (statsflagget) on official flag days in accordance with UD regulations. Private individuals and organisations are not required by law to fly the flag; it is a voluntary practice and a matter of etiquette.
Priority and combination with other flags:
● The Norwegian flag has priority. Foreign flags may be flown on public buildings out of international courtesy, but they should not be given a more prominent place than the Norwegian flag. The rules are set out in the UD guidelines. Separate guidelines apply to the joint use of the Sami flag (see our general guide to flag days).
Private homes: simple tips without red tape
● Use the time as a guide: 1 January is winter time, which means raising the flag at 9 a.m. (or 10 a.m. in the far north) and lowering it at sunset. If in doubt, raise the flag no earlier than 9 a.m. and do not leave it up overnight.
● Keep an eye on the weather: in stormy winds or wet snow, it is better not to fly the flag — this is safer and more careful for the flag itself.
● The flag should be clean and intact: worn and wet flags should not be used; keeping the flag in good condition and treating it with respect is part of the etiquette.
● The correct type: a "split" flag (splittflagg) is for government buildings; for houses, use a regular rectangular flag.
● Joint flags: if you are flying another flag (e.g. Sami or foreign), give priority to the Norwegian flag and use a separate flagpole. For municipal buildings, the order is strictly described in government guidelines; for private buildings, it is a matter of correct etiquette.
If you notice any inaccuracies or would like to add local flagging recommendations for your community, please let us know in the comments. We update this page every January based on official UD clarifications.
Frequently asked questions
In winter, the rules are as follows: raise at 09:00, lower at sunset. In Nurland, Tromsø and Finnmark, the times are 10:00–15:00 in winter. These are the official recommendations of the UD.
No. Even if the days are short, the flag should be lowered before dark (at sunset). It is not customary to leave it up overnight.
Government agencies — yes, according to UD regulations. Municipal practices and private homes — at their discretion (voluntary for private homes), but in compliance with general time rules.
Safety is more important: during storms and wet snow, the flag may be damaged — it is wise not to raise it at such times and wait for the weather to improve. (This is practical advice; it does not override the general time protocol.)
Yes, but the Norwegian flag has priority. On public buildings, foreign flags should not be given a more prominent place than the Norwegian flag; use a separate flagpole. For the Sámi flag and joint flagging, see our explanation of the rules.
Yes. 1 January is a public holiday (helligdag) and also an official flag day. This means that services operate on a holiday schedule and the standard winter flag protocol applies.
