Honours and Decorations
Article The constitution
Honours and decorations may be awarded to individuals in recognition of outstanding services to the Federal Republic of Germany. This may be done only by the Federal President or with his approval.
The most well-known honour is the Order of Merit. It was instituted by Federal President Theodor Heuss in 1951 and is awarded in eight different classes.
External link honours and decorations website of the Federal President’s Office (in German only)
- Medal of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Knight Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Grand Cross special class of the Order of merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
However, in rare cases only is the Order of Merit handed over by the Federal President himself. As a rule, this task is assumed by the Minister-Presidents of the federal states, ministers at state or federal level, regional commissioners or mayors.
The details are governed by the Act on Titles, Honours and Decorations. This act also stipulates under what conditions an individual may be deprived of an honour or decoration. Furthermore, the act defines under what conditions foreign or former German honours and decorations may be worn.
