European Union Flag

Description

The EU flag, officially the flag of the European Union, is available from Flags Online in full-size and desk formats, printed on both sides and made to last outdoors.

About the European Union Flag

The EU flag is not a national flag at all, but the emblem of a political and economic union of member states, and it is recognised almost as widely as any country’s banner. It shows a circle of twelve gold stars on a deep blue background.

Why Does the EU Flag Have 12 Stars?

The number of stars has nothing to do with how many countries belong to the EU. The flag already had 12 stars in 1955, decades before the EU existed, and it still has 12 with 27 member countries. According to the European Union, the stars stand for unity, solidarity and harmony among the peoples of Europe, and the circle itself is a symbol of unity.

The Council of Europe, which designed the flag, chose twelve as a symbol of perfection and completeness, so the flag never has to change as Europe grows. Because the stars form a circle with no top or bottom, no country sits above another.

History of the European Union Flag

The design was created in 1955 for the Council of Europe, a separate and older organisation than the EU, as that body looked for a symbol that could represent a united Europe without favouring any single nation’s colours or imagery.

The European Communities adopted the same design in June 1985 and first raised it outside the European Commission’s Berlaymont building in Brussels in May 1986, and it carried over into the European Union when that body was established by treaty in 1993. Because the Council of Europe still uses the identical flag today, the twelve-star design is technically shared between two distinct European institutions, even though most people associate it solely with the EU.

Flying and Displaying the EU Flag

The flag is flown outside EU institutions in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg, and alongside national flags at many government buildings across member states, particularly on Europe Day, 9 May. It is also a familiar sight on vehicle number plates and official documents throughout the bloc. Because the flag represents an institution rather than a nation, it is generally flown together with, rather than instead of, national flags, and protocol usually places the European Union flag alongside the relevant national banner rather than above or below it.

EU Flag Sizes and Pricing

• 180 x 120cm — R860
• 22 x 15cm Desk Flag (10 units) — R800
• 10 x 15cm Desk Flag (10 units) — R650
• 90 x 60cm — R400

Material and Construction

Made from 100% polyester bunting material and digitally printed on both sides. Hemmed all around with two rows of stitching and finished with a polyester webbing heading. Rope and toggle for hoisting included.

Supplied in packs of 10. Printed on both sides onto polyester and supplied with a black plastic stick and removable base — take the base off and it doubles as a hand waving flag.

Flying your European Union flag outdoors? Pair it with one of our ground flag poles or building-mounted flag poles. For offices, boardrooms and classrooms, our indoor flag poles keep it upright and off the floor. You can also browse our full range of organisation and regional flags.

Curious about the national flags of Europe? See our count of the colours on all 50 flags of European countries, with a Colour the Flag game and a quiz.

EU Flag FAQ

Is the EU flag the same as the flag of Europe?

Yes. The same 12-star flag belongs to two separate organisations: the Council of Europe, which adopted it in 1955, and the European Union, which adopted it in 1985. That is why it is often called the flag of Europe.

Does the EU flag get a new star when a country joins?

No. The EU flag always has 12 stars. The number is fixed and does not change when countries join or leave the EU.

Which EU flag sizes can I order?

Full-size flags come in 180 x 120cm and 90 x 60cm, both with rope and toggle for a flagpole. Desk flags come in packs of 10 in two sizes, ideal for boardrooms, conferences and Europe Day events.

Ordering and Delivery

Every European Union flag is printed to order and dispatched from our Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Johannesburg branches, with courier delivery nationwide. Bulk and school orders are welcome — contact us for volume pricing on quantities of 10 or more.

Order Lead Times

Almost everything we make is freshly printed and made to order, just for you! So please allow 3–5 working days for us to prepare your order before it heads out the door. We’ll always try to get it to you sooner where we can. Some fast movers, like South African flags, ship quicker as they’re often in stock.

One quick thing to keep in mind: the “next working day” you see on your order confirmation is the courier’s delivery time from the day we dispatch — not from the day you place your order. So it’s really 3–5 days to prepare + next-day delivery.

Good things are worth the wait — we’re excited to get your order into your hands.

Additional information