In the UK, there isn’t a blanket ban on private individuals owning or displaying flags, but certain restrictions apply under planning law and public order rules. Some flags are outright illegal to fly without special consent, while others are restricted to protect against misuse or offence.

Any flag of a proscribed terrorist organisation

• For example: ISIS, al-Qaeda, or any group banned under the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000.
• Displaying such a flag can be treated as showing support for terrorism (a criminal offence).
• Indecent, threatening, or racist flags
• Any flag with obscenities, hate symbols, or material likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress (under the Public Order Act 1986).

Flags used for advertising (without planning permission)

Businesses cannot simply put up corporate flags, product logos, or promotional flags unless they meet specific advertising consent rules.

Flags with restrictions (need consent or conditions)

National flags of non-UK countries (e.g. USA, France) can be flown, but:

• Must not carry additional wording or logos.
• Must be flown in a respectful manner.

Flags of regions, counties, towns, or communities are usually fine, but again, they must be flown properly.

Military, police, NHS, or government flags generally require permission if used by non-official bodies.

Flags you can usually fly freely (no planning permission needed)

• The Union Flag (Union Jack).
• Flags of any of the home nations (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).
• The St George’s Cross, St Andrew’s Cross, Red Dragon of Wales.
• Armed Forces flags (e.g., Royal Navy Ensign, RAF Ensign) on special occasions.
• The Commonwealth, European Union, or United Nations flag.
• County and certain historic flags recognised by the UK Flag Institute.

So, in short:

• Illegal: Terrorist flags, obscene/hate flags, unauthorised commercial flags.
• Restricted: Foreign national flags, military/government flags if misused.
• Permitted: UK national, local, county, and international organisation flags.

The official UK government guidance (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, previously DCMS) on which flags may be flown in England without needing planning consent under the Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007.

Flags to fly in England without consent

National flags

• The Union Flag (Union Jack).
• The flags of any country in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland).
• The flags of any other country, as long as it does not carry extra wording, logos, or emblems.

Regional and local flags

• The flag of the Commonwealth, the European Union, or the United Nations.
• The Armed Forces Day Flag.
• County flags, district/borough/ parish flags, and flags of historic areas.
• Flags of civil parishes, towns, or villages.

Specific official flags

• These may be flown on buildings where the relevant organisation is present:
• The NHS flag.
• The environmental award flag (like the Blue Flag for beaches).
• Flags of armed forces regiments.
• Flags of sports clubs, provided they don’t include sponsorship logos.

Flags that DO need consent

• You’ll usually need planning permission if the flag:
• Displays a company name, logo, or trademark (advertising).
• Carries political messages or slogans.
• Is indecent or offensive.

Flags that are not allowed

• Terrorist organisation flags (illegal under counter-terrorism law).
• Any flag that may incite hatred or cause harassment under the Public Order Act.
• Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have slightly different rules, but the general principles are the same.

UK Flag Flying Rules

Rule of thumb

• Always legal: UK national, county, and recognised local flags.
• Sometimes legal: Foreign, political, or sports flags (but may need consent or conditions).
• Never legal: Terrorist, obscene, or commercial advertising flags (without permission).

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland specific rules

While the basic framework comes from the UK-wide Town and Country Planning (Control of Advertisements) Regulations 2007, the devolved governments (Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland) have made some variations. 

Scotland

• Scotland has its own version of the regulations.
• You can fly any country’s national flag, the Saltire, the Union Flag, the Red Dragon, and county or local flags without consent.
• Some local planning authorities may give extra guidance (especially in conservation areas).
• The Royal Banner of Scotland (Lion Rampant) is a special case — it is the personal banner of the monarch and should only be flown by authorised bodies (e.g. Scottish Government, certain castles).

Wales

• Wales follows the English regulations quite closely but with explicit recognition of the Red Dragon (Y Ddraig Goch) and county/civic flags.
• Local authorities sometimes give guidance on how the Union Flag and Welsh flag should be flown together (for example, on government buildings).
• The Royal Standard and official government flags follow the same rules as in England (the Royal Standard is never half-masted).

Northern Ireland

• More sensitive due to political and community identity.
• Flag-flying on government buildings is governed by the Flags Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (as amended).
• Sets out which days the Union Flag is flown (e.g. royal birthdays, Remembrance Day).
• Does not allow routine flying of other national flags (e.g. the Irish Tricolour) on official buildings.
• Private property: individuals can fly flags (Union Flag, Irish Tricolour, county GAA flags, etc.), but if the flag is considered provocative or incites disorder, the police may act under the Public Order Act.

Summary

Scotland and Wales: broadly the same as England, but with recognition of their own national symbols. Scotland restricts the Royal Banner (Lion Rampant).

Northern Ireland: official buildings are tightly regulated (mostly Union Flag only, on specific days). Private flag-flying is legal but politically sensitive and can attract public order enforcement if provocative.