Flags Eastern Europe Albania

Flag of Albania

country

The flag of Albania was adopted on April 7, 1992. Red field with a black double-headed eagle. It uses 2 colours: red and black. The official proportions are 5:7.

The national flag of Albania
Hoist Ratio 5:7 Fly

Basic Flag Information

Flag Name Flag of Albania
Country Albania
Official Country Name Republic of Albania
Capital Tirana
Continent Europe
Region Southeast Europe
ISO Country Code AL / ALB
Internet Domain .al
Calling Code +355
Currency Albanian lek (ALL)
National Language(s) Albanian
Demonym Albanian
Area 28,748 km²
Population 2.7 million (2025 est.)

Flag Specifications

Official Flag Name Flag of Albania
Adopted On April 7, 1992
First Used 1443
Current Version Adopted April 7, 1992
Flag Proportion 5:7
Flag Shape Rectangle
Number of Colors 2
Main Colors Red, Black
Design Type Red field with a black double-headed eagle
Official Status Official National Flag
Government Authority Government of Albania

Flag Color Information

Color Appearance HEX Code RGB CMYK
Red #E41E20 228, 30, 32 0, 87, 86, 11
Black #000000 0, 0, 0 0, 0, 0, 100

Flag Design and Symbols

Red colour Represents bravery, strength and valour
Black colour Represents the double-headed eagle
Double-headed eagle The seal of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the 15th-century national hero — the Albanian name for the country, Shqipëria, is often read as “land of the eagles”

Flag History

Year / Period Event
1443 The design was first used
1992-04-07 The current flag was officially adopted
Present The flag remains in official use
Present The flag remains in official use

Flag Dimensions and Construction

Official Ratio 5:7
Width 5 units (hoist)
Length 7 units (fly)

Albania Flag Usage

Government Buildings Yes
Schools Yes
Civil Use Yes
Official Ceremonies Yes
Sports Events Yes
National Holidays Yes
Military Yes
Naval Use Yes
Embassies Yes
International Events Yes

Other Official Flags of Albania

Flag Type Use Link
National Flag National representation View flag
Civil Flag Used by civilians View flag
State Flag Used by government View flag
War Flag Used during military operations View flag
Naval Ensign Used by the navy View flag
Air Force Flag Used by the air force View flag
Presidential Standard Used by the head of state View flag
Royal Standard Used by the monarch View flag
Historical Flag Previous national flag View flag

Quick Facts About the Flag

Flag Age 34 years old as of 2026
Adoption Date April 7, 1992
Oldest Version 1443
Most Common Color Red
Similar Flags South Korea, Zambia
Unique Feature Red field with a black double-headed eagle

Other plain field with a central emblem flags

See all

Facts about the Flag of Albania

  1. The double-headed eagle derives from Byzantine imperial heraldry and was used on the seal of Skanderbeg in the fifteenth century.
  2. The country's name for itself, Shqipëria, is popularly connected to the word for eagle, though the etymology is disputed.
  3. The flag has carried various additions over the years — a star, a helmet, a hammer and sickle — all of which have been removed, leaving the eagle alone since 1992.
  4. The flag of Albania was officially adopted on April 7, 1992.
  5. The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1443, 549 years before it was formally made the flag of Albania.
  6. The flag in its present form is 34 years old as of 2026.
  7. Design type: Red field with a black double-headed eagle.
  8. The official proportions are 5:7. No other national flag in the world uses it.
  9. The flag uses 2 colours: red and black.
  10. The red on the flag stands for bravery, strength and valour.
  11. The black on the flag stands for the double-headed eagle.
  12. Double-headed eagle: The seal of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the 15th-century national hero — the Albanian name for the country, Shqipëria, is often read as “land of the eagles”.
  13. The design belongs to the "Plain field with a central emblem" family, shared with 70 other flags in this reference.
  14. Flags most often confused with it: South Korea and Zambia.
  15. Albania became independent on 28 November 1912 from the Ottoman Empire.
  16. Football is the most popular sport, with weightlifting strong internationally.
  17. The national animal is the golden eagle, the double-headed bird on the flag.
  18. The national anthem is "Himni i Flamurit, the Hymn to the Flag".

Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Albania

When was the flag of Albania adopted?

The flag of Albania was officially adopted on April 7, 1992, though the design had already been in use since 1443.

What do the colours of the flag of Albania mean?

Red for bravery, strength and valour and black for the double-headed eagle.

When did Albania gain independence?

Albania became independent on 28 November 1912 from the Ottoman Empire.

What is the national sport of Albania?

Football is the most popular sport, with weightlifting strong internationally.

What do the symbols on the flag of Albania represent?

Double-headed eagle — The seal of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, the 15th-century national hero — the Albanian name for the country, Shqipëria, is often read as “land of the eagles”.

What are the proportions of the flag of Albania?

The official ratio is 5:7, which makes the flag rectangular.

What is the national anthem of Albania?

The national anthem is "Himni i Flamurit, the Hymn to the Flag".

When is the national day of Albania?

It falls on 28 November, Flag Day, and the flag is flown across the country.

What is the national animal of Albania?

The national animal is the golden eagle, the double-headed bird on the flag.

What is the capital of Albania?

The capital is Tirana. The currency is the Albanian lek (ALL) and the language spoken is Albanian.