Flag of Malta
countryThe flag of Malta was adopted on September 21, 1964. Vertical bicolour with the George Cross in the canton. It uses 3 colours: white, red and grey. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Malta |
|---|---|
| Country | Malta |
| Official Country Name | Republic of Malta |
| Capital | Valletta |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | MT / MLT |
| Internet Domain | .mt |
| Calling Code | +356 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | English, Maltese |
| Demonym | Maltese |
| Area | 316 km² |
| Population | 0.56 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Malta |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | September 21, 1964 |
| First Used | 1964 |
| Current Version Adopted | September 21, 1964 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | White, Red, Grey |
| Design Type | Vertical bicolour with the George Cross in the canton |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Malta |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | |
| Red | #CF142B | 207, 20, 43 | 0, 90, 79, 19 | |
| Grey | #CCCCCC | 204, 204, 204 | 0, 0, 0, 20 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| White colour | Represents the hoist band |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the fly band |
| Grey colour | Represents the George Cross |
| George Cross | Awarded to the whole island by George VI in 1942 for its bravery under siege — the only national flag to carry a foreign gallantry medal |
| Colours | By tradition given to Malta by Count Roger of Sicily in 1090 |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1964 | The design was first used |
| 1964-09-21 | 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) |
Malta 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 Malta
| 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 | 62 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | September 21, 1964 |
| Oldest Version | 1964 |
| Most Common Color | White |
| Similar Flags | Holy See |
| Unique Feature | Vertical bicolour with the George Cross in the canton |
Other vertical bicolour with an emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Malta
- The George Cross in the canton was awarded to the whole population of Malta by King George VI in 1942, and Malta is the only country to display a decoration on its flag.
- The award was originally shown on a blue canton; the blue was removed in 1964 and replaced with a red outline.
- The white and red are traditionally traced to Count Roger of Sicily, though the story appears only in later sources.
- The flag of Malta was officially adopted on September 21, 1964.
- The flag in its present form is 62 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Vertical bicolour with the George Cross in the canton.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: white, red and grey.
- The white on the flag stands for the hoist band.
- The red on the flag stands for the fly band.
- The grey on the flag stands for the George Cross.
- George Cross: Awarded to the whole island by George VI in 1942 for its bravery under siege — the only national flag to carry a foreign gallantry medal.
- Colours: By tradition given to Malta by Count Roger of Sicily in 1090.
- The design belongs to the "Vertical bicolour with an emblem" family, shared with 2 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Holy See.
- Malta became independent on 21 September 1964 from the United Kingdom.
- Malta became a republic on 13 December 1974.
- Football and water polo are the most popular sports.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Malta
When was the flag of Malta adopted?
The flag of Malta was officially adopted on September 21, 1964.
What do the colours of the flag of Malta mean?
White for the hoist band, red for the fly band and grey for the George Cross.
When did Malta gain independence?
Malta became independent on 21 September 1964 from the United Kingdom. Malta became a republic on 13 December 1974.
What is the national sport of Malta?
Football and water polo are the most popular sports.
What do the symbols on the flag of Malta represent?
George Cross — Awarded to the whole island by George VI in 1942 for its bravery under siege — the only national flag to carry a foreign gallantry medal. Colours — By tradition given to Malta by Count Roger of Sicily in 1090.
What are the proportions of the flag of Malta?
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 Malta?
The national anthem is "L-Innu Malti".
When is the national day of Malta?
It falls on 21 September, Independence Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Malta?
The capital is Valletta. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is English, Maltese.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Malta?
The closest matches are Holy See, which share both the construction and most of the colours.