Bundesverdienstkreuz

Grand Cross in a Special Design (left), Special degree of the Grand Cross (middle and right)

The Bundesverdienstkreuz (Federal Cross of Merit, officially Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany) is the only general state decoration of the Federal Republic of Germany.

This Federal Order of Merit has only existed since September 7, 1951. Between 3,000 and 5,200 awards are given every year in all classes.

Classes

The Bundesverdienstkreuz has eight classes, in ascending order:
* Verdienstmedaille (Medal of Merit)
* Verdienstkreuz am Bande (Cross of Merit on ribbon)
international: Ritterkreuz (Knight's Cross)
* Verdienstkreuz 1. Klasse (Cross of Merit, First class)
international: Offizierkreuz (Officer's Cross)
* Großes Verdienstkreuz (Halskreuz) (Great Cross of Merit, neck cross)
international: Komturkreuz (Commander's Cross)
* Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern (Great Cross of Merit with star)
international: Großoffizierkreuz (Great Officer's Cross)
* Großes Verdienstkreuz mit Stern und Schulterband (Great Cross of Merit with Star and shoulder ribbon)
international: Großkreuz 2. Klasse (Grand Cross of Merit, Second class)
* Großkreuz (Grand Cross)
* Sonderstufe des Großkreuzes (Special degree of the Grand Cross)There is also the provision of awarding the Großkreuz in a special design. The President of the Federal Republic holds the Großkreuz in a special design ex officio. It is awarded to him in a ceremony by the President of the Bundestag attended by the Chancelor, the President of the Bundesrat and the Supreme Court President. Otherwise this provision has so far only been used twice, once for Konrad Adenauer and on Helmut Kohl. Only a head of state can be awarded with the highest class.

Insignia

Except for the lowest class, the badge is the same for all classes, but with slightly different versions for men and women (slightly smaller badge and ribbon for women):

The badge is a golden Maltese Cross enamelled in red, with a central disc bearing a black eagle.

The star is a golden star with straight rays, its size and points vary according to class, with the badge superimposed upon it.

The ribbon is red with gold-black-gold stripes.

External links

*English text: The Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
* German text, with pictures of all classes (PDF)
* German text, pictures of all classes, plus some other medals