The Badge of Honor of the Icelandic Foreign Service

The Badge of Honor of the Icelandic Foreign Service was established by Presidential decree on July 1st 2024. The front of the badge features the Coat of Arms of Iceland and the back of the badge features the image of Iceland´s national flower, the White Dryas (Dryas octopetala).

The badge of honor can be awarded to Icelandic individuals and foreigners who carry out work that is considered important in the area of responsibility that falls under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

The award has three levels:

• The first level is a badge made of gold with a yellow silk ribbon. It can be given to an individual who´s work has contributed significantly to the progress and development of Icelandic foreign affairs. It should in general only be awarded to one individual a year.
• The second level of the badge is made of silver with a white silk ribbon. It can be awarded to those who have been of special benefit to Iceland in the field of foreign affairs, who have contributed significantly to or support of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the heads of foreign embassies in Iceland.
• The third level of the badge is made of bronze and has a green silk ribbon. It can be awarded for the special achievements of consuls, staff of the Icelandic government or partners of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in recognition for their contribution. The award can also be given to foreign envoys accredited to Iceland.

The colours of the ribbons refer to the colours of the national flower.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs awards the medal, but can entrust the Permanent Secretary of State or heads of Icelandic missions abroad to award it on her/his behalf. The Medal of Honor Committee makes a proposal for the awarding of the medal, the committee is composed of the Permanent Secretary of State, the Head of Protocol and the Head of Human Resources of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.