Flag of AlbaniaRepublika e Shqipërisë

What the flag looks like

The Albanian flag consists of a red field with a black double-headed eagle in the center. The proportion is 5:7. It was first raised on 28 November 1912, when Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire, and the current proportions and design were standardized in 1992 after the fall of communism.

Colors and meaning

Red represents the blood shed by Albanian patriots in the long struggle for independence and the bravery and strength of the Albanian people, and the black double-headed eagle represents the Albanian nation — the eagle is the national symbol of Albania and appears on the country's coat of arms.

Red field

Represents the blood shed by Albanian patriots during the centuries-long struggle for independence, from the medieval resistance against the Ottoman Empire to the declaration of independence in 1912. Red is also a traditional color of bravery and strength in Albanian culture.

Double-headed eagle

The black double-headed eagle is the national symbol of Albania and represents the Albanian nation. It has been used as a symbol by Albanian rulers since the Middle Ages, most famously by Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg — the 15th-century Albanian national hero — who led the resistance against the Ottoman Empire for 25 years and used a red flag with a black double-headed eagle. The double-headed eagle represents the union of the Albanian people and their unity across borders — Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro and the Albanian diaspora.

Design history

According to tradition, the eagle's wings form the shape of the letter 'Sh' when viewed in combination — a reference to Shqipëria, the Albanian name for Albania. The flag used during the communist era (1946–1992) added a gold-bordered red star above the eagle, which was removed in 1992 when the communist government fell.

History and adoption

Albania was part of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th century until 1912, when it declared independence on 28 November 1912. The flag was raised on the day of the declaration in Vlorë, based on the banner used by Skanderbeg in the 15th century. The design has been modified several times — during the Kingdom of Albania (1928–1939), a crown was added; during the Italian occupation (1939–1943), the flag was used with Italian elements; and during the communist period (1946–1992), a gold-bordered red star was added above the eagle. After the fall of communism, the plain red flag with the black double-headed eagle was restored on 7 April 1992. It has remained unchanged since.

Key facts

Adopted

28 November 1912 (current version 7 April 1992)

Proportion

5:7

Designer

Based on the banner of Skanderbeg (15th century)

Capital

Tirana

Country code

AL

Similar flags

None

Historical and related flags

Albania has used several flags across its Ottoman, kingdom, communist and post-communist periods.

• Skanderbeg's banner (15th century): Red field with a black double-headed eagle.
• Ottoman Albania (15th century–1912): Ottoman flag used during Ottoman rule.
• First independence (1912–1914): Current design adopted at independence.
• Principality of Albania (1914–1925): Variants with a white star and additional elements.
• Albanian Republic (1925–1928): Same design with additional elements.
• Kingdom of Albania (1928–1939): Flag with a royal crown above the eagle.
• Italian occupation (1939–1943): Flag with the Italian royal arms.
• Communist Albania (1946–1992): Same design with a gold-bordered red star above the eagle.
• Current flag (1992–present): Plain red flag with black double-headed eagle.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Albania look like?

The flag of Albania is a red field with a black double-headed eagle in the center. The proportion is 5:7.

When was the flag of Albania adopted?

The current flag of Albania was officially adopted on 28 November 1912 (current version 7 April 1992).

What do the colors mean?

Red represents the blood shed by Albanian patriots in the long struggle for independence and the bravery and strength of the Albanian people, and the black double-headed eagle represents the Albanian nation — the eagle is the national symbol of Albania and appears on the country's coat of arms.

Which flags look similar to the Albania flag?

No other national flag closely resembles Albania's. The combination of a red field with a black double-headed eagle is unique, though the double-headed eagle is also used as a symbol by Serbia, Montenegro, Russia and other countries with Byzantine or Balkan heritage.