The following is a list of flags used in Albania.
Republic of Albania State flag Flag Date Use Description 2002 Flag of the Republic of Albania, community flag in Kosovo and North Macedonia The national flag of Albania was standardized by Law Nr.8926, dated 22 July 2002 of the constitution and defined in articles II, III and IV.Law 8926 22.07.2002.
A physical description of the flag is summarized in Article III:
Maritime flags Flag Date Use Description Civil ensign A horizontal red-black-red triband Naval ensign White background with a two-headed eagle and a red stripe along the bottom Government ensign White background with a two-headed eagle and a blue stripe along the bottom Coast Guard ensign White background with a two-headed eagle and a green stripe along the bottom
Government flags Flag Date Use Description 2014–present Presidential flag The predominant colors are the colors of the national flag (red background and black eagle) and the golden color has been added which symbolizes strength, prosperity, and endurance. The decorative symbols of the flag are the black eagle taken from the coat of arms of the House of Kastrioti, accepting it as one of the most ancient symbols used by the Albanian leader; the (golden) Skanderbeg helmet positioned in a straight frontal stance, symbolizing impartiality and determination in representing national unity; as well as oak (golden) leaves which represent longevity, strength, and dignity, also taken as a symbol from antiquity used by King Gentius of the Illyrians. The use of the crown-shaped oak branches is also seen as a plinth which holds the other elements in place. Dimensions are specified as 140 cm x 100 cm.
Military flags Flag Date Use Description 2011–present Flag of the Albanian Armed Forces The Armed Forces flag displays in the center a red shield, in which the helmet of Skanderbeg is placed. 2011–present Flag of the Albanian General Staff The General Staff flag displays in the center a shield with the symbols of the Air Force, Land Force, and Naval Force stacked on top of each other. 2011–present Flag of the Albanian Air Force The Air Force flag displays in the center a shield in light blue color, in which the wings are placed. 2011–present Flag of the Albanian Land Forces The Land Force flag displays in the center a green shield, in which two crossed rifles are placed. 2011–present Flag of the Albanian Naval Force The Naval Force flag displays in the center a shield in dark blue color, in which an anchor is placed. 2011–present Flag of the Albanian Training and Doctrine Command The Training and Doctrine Command flag displays in the center an olive-colored shield which consists of a compass, a quill resting on a rolled up parchment, and an olive branch. 2011–present Flag of the Albanian Support Command The Logistics Brigade flag displays in the center an olive-colored shield which consists of a rotary wheel, two crossed skeleton keys, and an olive branch. 2011–present Flag of the Albanian Military Police The Military Police flag displays in the center a shield in dark blue color, in which there are two crossed swords with the letters "MP" over them. 2011–present Flag of the Tirana Military Hospital The Military Hospital flag displays in the center an olive-colored shield, in which there is a white cross with a red outline, a snake, and a sword. 2011–present Flag of the Albanian Regional Support Brigade The Regional Support Brigade flag displays in the center an olive-colored shield which consists of two venetian towers connected by a bridge with a white flame rising from the top and an olive branch. 2011–present Flag of the Albanian Military Intelligence The Military Intelligence flag displays in the center an olive-colored shield, in which there is a stylized map, a key, and a sword.
Police flags Flag Date Use Description 2016 Flag of the Albanian State Police The Regulation of the State Police in Chapter II, Article IX, describes the flag of the State Police as a distinctive flag, a symbol of honor, bravery, glory, sacrifices in the name of law, and the spiritual unity of Albanian Police employees of all generations. The flag is handed over to the Director of Police by the Minister of Internal Affairs, on the occasion of his or her appointment. It is then placed on a cylindrical pole, with a pointed finial, silver in color, which is displayed in the office of the Director of the State Police and in the offices of the heads of the local police directorates. 2021 Flag of the Republican Guard The flag appears in a red color background, surrounded by a golden decorative cord, in the center of which is the eagle, used by the Guard since its establishment in 1928. The black double-headed eagle is outlined by a thin yellow thread, which makes it stand out inside the red background and rests on a golden floral decoration, often used in Albanian state emblems. Above the eagle is placed the stylized helmet of the Albanian national hero, Skanderbeg, in gold. Right beneath it is printed in capital letters GARDA E REPUBLIKËS.
Historical flags State flags Flag Date Use Description 1878 Flag of the Bajrak of Kashnjeti Ded Kol Bajraktari, the chieftain of the Bajrak of Kashnjeti (Dibrri) had unfurled this flag, on 10 June 1878, at the event known as the Albanian League of Prizren, swearing in the name of his bajrak, to preserve it with honor and glory. The flag with the inscription "Mirdita", is considered an object of great historical importance and a symbol of resistance for the people of the Mirdita region and areas of Northern Albania.
It is the only surviving flag of the twelve bajraks of Mirditë. 1912–1914 Flag of the Provisional Government The weekly Albanian language newspaper Zër' i Popullit (), based in New York City, published on the cover page of its 7th issue, dated 17 December 1912, a color illustration of the Albanian flag. It shows a striking resemblance to a similar illustration found on the cover page of the 16th issue of the 2nd annual edition of Perlindja e Shqipëniës newspaper, the official publication of the newly formed Albanian State, dated 7 March 1914. Later evidence of the consistently unchanged design of the double-headed eagle is substantiated by newspaper Dielli in its 21st annual edition published on November 29, 1929, and titled: 1467===FLAMURI YNE===1912; with the descriptive subtitle: Sign of love for the Fatherland and the Symbol of Freedom. 1913–1914 Flag of the self-proclaimed Republic of Central Albania In the archives of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Fund Section R–130365), scholar Marenglen Kasmi encountered a paper envelope which contained a letter signed by Essad Pasha Toptani and addressed by the Austro-Hungarian royal imperial embassy in Berlin to the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dated 7 May 1915. In it, a piece of cloth roughly 20 by 30 cm in length, in light red color with a white star polygon at the lower right corner is presented as the "national flag" with Essad Pasha identifying himself as interim president and general supreme commander. What stands out about this flag is its resemblance to the Ottoman flag, where only the crescent has been removed. 1915 Flag of the Principality of Albania The nearly square flag measures 156x140 cm in size. Its fabric is a thin, woolen cloth, dyed in red. Around the entire surface, on both sides, a double-headed black eagle is spray stamped. There are changes made to the wings, claws, and especially to the two heads, which appear too small in relation to the size of the eagle. On the chest, a golden shield with a blue peacock can be seen in what is a grafting of Albanian symbols with those of Wied's family. A 2012 auction in Genoa, Italy unveiled for the first time the flag of the principality, physically intact, displayed inside a square laminated wooden frame, with the descriptive title shown at the bottom in golden letters, embossed onto a black coated strip. The flag was found in Durrës on 20 December 1915 and had been taken from there by Italian diplomat Baron Carlo Aliotti aboard the Austrian destroyer SMS Lika.
The flag variant widely in use today bears a resemblance to the graphic illustration found on the hardcover of the book from Spiridon Gopcevic, titled "Das Fürstentum Albanien", 359 pages, published in Berlin (1914) by Hermann Paetel Verlag. 1916–1920 Flag of the Autonomous Province of Korçë The protocol agreement on the Autonomous Province of Korçë states in Article IX, dated 10 December 1916:
Restored flags of this period are currently housed at the Flag Museum in Korçë. 1920 Flag used at the Congress of Lushnjë The flag used at the Congress of Lushnjë was identified for the first time on 25 November 2011 inside the archives of the Ethnographic Fund at the Center for Albanological Studies. 1920–1926 Flag of the Albanian Republic Around 1920, the Albanian flag was, and continues to be, a red field with a black, double-headed eagle in the center. This design, representing the national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, was officially raised on November 28, 1912, to mark independence and remained the emblem of the young, newly independent state during the post-WWI era. 1921 Flag used by the High Council of Regency Illustration of a large flag displayed hanging on the wall background inside the High Council of Regency building with members Aqif Pasha Elbasani and Luigj Bumçi sitting opposite of each other. A similar flag was used during this time period at the demilitarized border area known as the Neutral Zone of Junik. 1926–1928 Flag of the Albanian Republic The flag of Albania used from 1926 to 1928, during the Albanian Republic (1925–1928), featured the traditional red field with a black double-headed eagle in the center. It closely resembled the national emblem, representing sovereignty during the leadership of Ahmet Zogu, prior to the declaration of the Kingdom in 1928. 1928–1939 Flag of the Albanian Kingdom Article III of the Fundamental Statute of the Albanian Kingdom describes the flag as red with a black two-headed eagle in the center. A variant of this flag is on display at the Mezuraj Museum. The square-shaped flag, currently in the possession of the Royal Family, was produced in the latter period of King Zog's reign and can be seen in archived film footage being replaced by fascist officers during the unveiling ceremony of the new fascist flag, on 4 December 1939. The royal flag was widely used by government institutions, the army and embassies abroad. 1939–1943 Flag of the Kingdom of Albania The Yearbook of the Kingdom of Albania in its 1940–XVIII edition, describes in Title I, Article II of the Constitutional Charter the following:
The description of the flag is further specified in the official journal of the Albanian government, in its 18th annual edition, dated 25 November 1939, issue nr.116, page.3, which reads: