Flag of Spain
countryThe flag of Spain was adopted on December 19, 1981. Horizontal triband with a double-width yellow band and the coat of arms. It uses 2 colours: red and yellow. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Spain |
|---|---|
| Country | Spain |
| Official Country Name | Kingdom of Spain |
| Capital | Madrid |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | ES / ESP |
| Internet Domain | .es |
| Calling Code | +34 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | Spanish |
| Demonym | Spanish |
| Area | 505,992 km² |
| Population | 48 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Spain |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | December 19, 1981 |
| First Used | 1785 |
| Current Version Adopted | December 19, 1981 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Red, Yellow |
| Design Type | Horizontal triband with a double-width yellow band and the coat of arms |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Spain |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #AA151B | 170, 21, 27 | 0, 88, 84, 33 | |
| Yellow | #F1BF00 | 241, 191, 0 | 0, 21, 100, 5 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the outer bands |
|---|---|
| Yellow colour | Represents the wide central band |
| Pillars of Hercules | Two columns with the motto “Plus Ultra” — Further Beyond |
| Quartered shield | Castile, León, Aragon, Navarre and Granada, the historic kingdoms of Spain |
| Origin | Chosen in 1785 for the navy because red and yellow were visible far out at sea |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1785 | The design was first used |
| 1981-12-19 | 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 | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Spain 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 Spain
| 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 | 45 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | December 19, 1981 |
| Oldest Version | 1785 |
| Flag Nickname | La Rojigualda |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal triband with a double-width yellow band and the coat of arms |
Other horizontal tricolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Spain
- The wide yellow band takes up half the flag's height, an arrangement chosen in 1785 so that Spanish ships could be identified at a distance from other red-and-white European ensigns.
- The Pillars of Hercules in the coat of arms carry the motto Plus Ultra — further beyond — a deliberate reversal of the older warning that nothing lay past Gibraltar.
- The civil flag has no arms. The version with them is the state flag, and the two are used in different contexts by law.
- The flag of Spain was officially adopted on December 19, 1981.
- The design is older than its adoption. It was already in use in 1785, 196 years before it was formally made the flag of Spain.
- The flag in its present form is 45 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal triband with a double-width yellow band and the coat of arms.
- The flag is known as La Rojigualda, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Spain".
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: red and yellow.
- The red on the flag stands for the outer bands.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the wide central band.
- Pillars of Hercules: Two columns with the motto “Plus Ultra” — Further Beyond.
- Quartered shield: Castile, León, Aragon, Navarre and Granada, the historic kingdoms of Spain.
- Origin: Chosen in 1785 for the navy because red and yellow were visible far out at sea.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal tricolour" family, shared with 32 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador.
- Spain was never colonised. The modern state traces to the union of Castile and Aragon in 1479, and the present constitution dates from 1978.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Spain
When was the flag of Spain adopted?
The flag of Spain was officially adopted on December 19, 1981, though the design had already been in use since 1785.
What do the colours of the flag of Spain mean?
Red for the outer bands and yellow for the wide central band.
When did Spain gain independence?
Spain was never colonised. The modern state traces to the union of Castile and Aragon in 1479, and the present constitution dates from 1978.
What is the national sport of Spain?
Football is the national sport; bullfighting was historically called the fiesta nacional.
What do the symbols on the flag of Spain represent?
Pillars of Hercules — Two columns with the motto “Plus Ultra” — Further Beyond. Quartered shield — Castile, León, Aragon, Navarre and Granada, the historic kingdoms of Spain. Origin — Chosen in 1785 for the navy because red and yellow were visible far out at sea.
What are the proportions of the flag of Spain?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Spain?
The national anthem is "Marcha Real, one of the few national anthems with no official lyrics".
When is the national day of Spain?
It falls on 12 October, Fiesta Nacional, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Spain?
The national animal is the bull, with the Spanish imperial eagle as national bird.
What is the capital of Spain?
The capital is Madrid. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is Spanish.