Flag of Portugal
countryThe flag of Portugal was adopted on June 30, 1911. Vertical bicolour with an armillary sphere and shield. It uses 3 colours: green, red and yellow. The official proportions are 2:3.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Portugal |
|---|---|
| Country | Portugal |
| Official Country Name | Portuguese Republic |
| Capital | Lisbon |
| Continent | Europe |
| Region | Southern Europe |
| ISO Country Code | PT / PRT |
| Internet Domain | .pt |
| Calling Code | +351 |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| National Language(s) | Portuguese |
| Demonym | Portuguese |
| Area | 92,090 km² |
| Population | 10 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Portugal |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | June 30, 1911 |
| First Used | 1911 |
| Current Version Adopted | June 30, 1911 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Green, Red, Yellow |
| Design Type | Vertical bicolour with an armillary sphere and shield |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Portugal |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | #046A38 | 4, 106, 56 | 96, 0, 47, 58 | |
| Red | #DA291C | 218, 41, 28 | 0, 81, 87, 15 | |
| Yellow | #FFE900 | 255, 233, 0 | 0, 9, 100, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Green colour | Represents hope |
|---|---|
| Red colour | Represents the blood of those who died serving the nation |
| Yellow colour | Represents the armillary sphere |
| Armillary sphere | The navigational instrument of the Age of Discovery |
| Seven castles | The castles taken from the Moors |
| Five shields | The five Moorish kings defeated by Afonso I, and the five wounds of Christ |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1911 | The design was first used |
| 1911-06-30 | 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) |
Portugal 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 Portugal
| 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 | 115 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | June 30, 1911 |
| Oldest Version | 1911 |
| Flag Nickname | A Bandeira das Quinas |
| Most Common Color | Green |
| Unique Feature | Vertical bicolour with an armillary sphere and shield |
Other vertical bicolour with an emblem flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Portugal
- The armillary sphere behind the shield is a navigational instrument, marking the age of Portuguese exploration.
- The seven castles on the shield represent fortresses taken from the Moors, and the five small shields are traditionally linked to a twelfth-century battle.
- The green was introduced in 1911 with the republic; the older monarchical flag was blue and white.
- The flag of Portugal was officially adopted on June 30, 1911.
- The flag in its present form is 115 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Vertical bicolour with an armillary sphere and shield.
- The flag is known as A Bandeira das Quinas, a name used far more often than the formal "flag of Portugal".
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: green, red and yellow.
- The green on the flag stands for hope.
- The red on the flag stands for the blood of those who died serving the nation.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the armillary sphere.
- Armillary sphere: The navigational instrument of the Age of Discovery.
- Seven castles: The castles taken from the Moors.
- Five shields: The five Moorish kings defeated by Afonso I, and the five wounds of Christ.
- The design belongs to the "Vertical bicolour with an emblem" family, shared with 2 other flags in this reference.
- Portugal became independent on 1 December 1640 from Spain.
- Portugal was founded in 1143 and restored its independence from Spain in 1640, making it one of Europe's oldest states within its present borders.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Portugal
When was the flag of Portugal adopted?
The flag of Portugal was officially adopted on June 30, 1911.
What do the colours of the flag of Portugal mean?
Green for hope, red for the blood of those who died serving the nation and yellow for the armillary sphere.
When did Portugal gain independence?
Portugal became independent on 1 December 1640 from Spain. Portugal was founded in 1143 and restored its independence from Spain in 1640, making it one of Europe's oldest states within its present borders.
What is the national sport of Portugal?
Football is the national sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Portugal represent?
Armillary sphere — The navigational instrument of the Age of Discovery. Seven castles — The castles taken from the Moors. Five shields — The five Moorish kings defeated by Afonso I, and the five wounds of Christ.
What are the proportions of the flag of Portugal?
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 Portugal?
The national anthem is "A Portuguesa".
When is the national day of Portugal?
It falls on 10 June, Portugal Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Portugal?
The national animal is the Iberian wolf, with the Rooster of Barcelos as a national emblem.
What is the capital of Portugal?
The capital is Lisbon. The currency is the Euro (EUR) and the language spoken is Portuguese.