Flag of Basque Country
regionThe flag of Basque Country was adopted on January 19, 1978 to a design by Sabino Arana and Luis Arana. Red field with a green saltire and a white cross. It uses 3 colours: red, green and white. The official proportions are 14:25.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Basque Country |
|---|---|
| Country | Basque Country |
| Official Country Name | Basque Country |
| Region | Western Europe |
| ISO Country Code | ES-PV |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Basque Country |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | January 19, 1978 |
| First Used | 1894 |
| Current Version Adopted | January 19, 1978 |
| Flag Proportion | 14:25 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, Green, White |
| Designer | Sabino Arana and Luis Arana |
| Design Type | Red field with a green saltire and a white cross |
| Official Status | Official Regional Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #D52B1E | 213, 43, 30 | 0, 80, 86, 16 | |
| Green | #009B48 | 0, 155, 72 | 100, 0, 54, 39 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the people of Biscay |
|---|---|
| Green colour | Represents the Oak of Gernika and the law |
| White colour | Represents the cross and God |
| Ikurriña | The Basque flag, its crossing bands modelled loosely on the Union Jack |
| Green saltire | The Cross of Saint Andrew, on whose feast day a famous battle was won |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1894 | The design was first used |
| 1978-01-19 | 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 | 14:25 |
|---|---|
| Width | 14 units (hoist) |
| Length | 25 units (fly) |
Basque Country Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Basque Country
| 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 | 48 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | January 19, 1978 |
| Oldest Version | 1894 |
| Designer | Sabino Arana and Luis Arana |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | United Kingdom |
| Unique Feature | Red field with a green saltire and a white cross |
Other combined cross and saltire flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Basque Country
- The Ikurriña was designed in 1894 by the brothers Sabino and Luis Arana, using a green saltire and white cross over red.
- It was banned under the Franco government and became official in 1979.
- The flag of Basque Country was officially adopted on January 19, 1978. It was designed by Sabino Arana and Luis Arana.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1894, 84 years before it was formally made the flag of Basque Country.
- The flag in its present form is 48 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Red field with a green saltire and a white cross.
- The official proportions are 14:25.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, green and white.
- The red on the flag stands for the people of Biscay.
- The green on the flag stands for the Oak of Gernika and the law.
- The white on the flag stands for the cross and God.
- Ikurriña: The Basque flag, its crossing bands modelled loosely on the Union Jack.
- Green saltire: The Cross of Saint Andrew, on whose feast day a famous battle was won.
- The design belongs to the "Combined cross and saltire" family, shared with 1 other flag in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: United Kingdom.
- Basque Country is an autonomous community of Spain, administered by Spain.
- Basque pelota is the national sport, alongside the rural strength contests of herri kirolak.
- The flag is flown everywhere on 25 October, Basque Country Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Basque Country
When was the flag of Basque Country adopted?
The flag of Basque Country was officially adopted on January 19, 1978, though the design had already been in use since 1894.
What do the colours of the flag of Basque Country mean?
Red for the people of Biscay, green for the Oak of Gernika and the law and white for the cross and God.
Is Basque Country an independent country?
Basque Country is an autonomous community of Spain, administered by Spain, a status held since 1979, under the Statute of Gernika.
What is the national sport of Basque Country?
Basque pelota is the national sport, alongside the rural strength contests of herri kirolak.
What do the symbols on the flag of Basque Country represent?
Ikurriña — The Basque flag, its crossing bands modelled loosely on the Union Jack. Green saltire — The Cross of Saint Andrew, on whose feast day a famous battle was won.
Who designed the flag of Basque Country?
The flag was designed by Sabino Arana and Luis Arana.
What are the proportions of the flag of Basque Country?
The official ratio is 14:25, which makes the flag rectangular.
When is the national day of Basque Country?
It falls on 25 October, Basque Country Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Basque Country?
The closest matches are United Kingdom, which share both the construction and most of the colours.
How many colours are on the flag of Basque Country?
It uses 3 colours: red, green and white.