The flying of the Dutch flag at central government buildings is subject to the general instructions issued by the prime minister.
The Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations asks provincial authorities, municipalities and other government bodies to comply with these instructions. The flag instructions draw a distinction between ‘extensive flagging’ (at all central government buildings) and ‘limited flagging’ (only at the main buildings).
There are no flag instructions for private individuals, institutions and companies, though they are asked to follow the instructions for government buildings.
Days on which the flag is flown
The flag is flown in principle on the following days. If the date in question falls on a Sunday or a religious holiday, the date in brackets applies instead.
| Date | Occasion | Limited flagging / extensive flagging |
|---|---|---|
| 31 January (1 February) | Princess Beatrix' birthday | Limited flagging |
| 27 April (26 April) | King's Day: King Willem-Alexander's birthday | Extensive flagging |
| 4 May | Remembrance Day, half-mast from 18.00 to sunset | Extensive flagging |
| 5 May | Liberation Day | Extensive flagging |
| 17 May (18 May) | Queen Máxima's birthdaty | Limited flagging |
| Last Saturday in June | Veteran's Day | Extensive flagging |
| 15 August (16 August) | Formal end to the Second World War | Extensive flagging |
| 3rd Tuesday in September | State opening of parliament (in The Hague only) | Extensive flagging |
| 7 December (8 December) | Birthday of the Princess of Orange | Limited flagging |
| 15 December (16 December) | Kingdom Day | Limited flagging |
Special events
Special flag instructions may be issued for special events relating to the Royal House, such as births, marriages and deaths. During official visits by foreign heads of state, the flag is flown only in the places visited.
The prime minister can also issue special flag instructions for special events, for example to commemorate the victims of a national or international disaster.
On King’s Day and the birthdays of the Princess of Orange, Queen Máxima and Princess Beatrix the flag is flown with an orange pennon. On all other occasions, it is flown without the orange pennon.