Flags of Europe
European flags are dominated by three big design families: the Nordic cross, the horizontal tricolour and the Pan-Slavic red/white/blue. Once you know the families, most of the continent falls into place.
Quick answer
Europe's 40+ national flags mostly fall into Nordic crosses (Scandinavia), horizontal tricolours (Germany, Netherlands, Hungary), vertical tricolours (France, Italy, Ireland) and Pan-Slavic red/white/blue (Russia, Serbia, Slovakia).
Flags in this guide

Germany

France

Italy

Spain

United Kingdom

Poland

Sweden

Norway

Denmark

Finland

Iceland

Greece

Portugal

Netherlands

Belgium

Ireland

Switzerland

Austria

Hungary

Czechia

Slovakia

Romania

Bulgaria
The three big families
Nordic crosses cover Scandinavia. Horizontal tricolours dominate central and eastern Europe. Vertical tricolours spread from France's revolutionary design. Pan-Slavic red/white/blue links Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Test yourself with today's GeoPie
Put this guide into practice — guess the country from its flag colour pie.
Frequently asked questions
How many countries are in Europe?
There are around 44 sovereign states typically counted as European, each with its own national flag.
Related flag guides
Country Flags with Crosses
From Nordic crosses to the Union Jack — every cross-based flag explained.
Flags with Red, White and Blue
The world's most common flag palette — and the countries that share it.
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