Flag of Belgium - Protocol

Protocol

As Belgium is a federal state, the flag of Belgium and the flags of the communities or regions in principle occupy the same rank. Nonetheless, when flags are raised and lowered or carried in a procession, the national flag takes precedence over all the others.

The order of precedence is:

1. The national flag of Belgium
2. The flag of the community or region of Belgium
3. The European flag
4. The flags of the provinces of Belgium, in alphabetical order in the local language, if more than one is flown
5. The flag of the municipality

If there is a visiting head of state, that country's flag may be set second in precedence, all other flags dropping a rank.