World Factbook
Faroe Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: white with a red cross outlined in blue that extends to the edges of the flag; the cross is shifted toward the left side in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag) meaning: white represents waves breaking on the shore; red and blue are traditional Faroese colors history: the flag is referred to as Merkid, meaning "the banner" or "the mark;" a group of students designed it in 1919, although it wasn't officially adopted until 1940
note: resembles the flags of Iceland and Norway; uses the same three colors in a different sequence and with a lighter blue
Capital
name
Torshavn
etymology
the name means "Thor's harbor" in Danish
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
geographic coordinates
62 00 N, 6 46 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
see Denmark
Constitution
history
5 June 1953 (Danish Constitution), 23 March 1948 (Home Rule Act), and 24 June 2005 (Takeover Act) serve as the Faroe Islands' constitutional position in the Unity of the Realm
amendment process
see entry for Denmark
Country name
etymology
the archipelago's name derives from the Old Norse name Faeroyar, meaning "sheep islands;" faer means "sheep," and - oyar means "islands"
local long form
none
local short form
Foroyar
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Faroe Islands
Independence
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Legal system
the laws of Denmark apply
Government type
parliamentary democracy (Faroese Parliament); part of the Kingdom of Denmark
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Faroese Court or Raett (Rett in Danish) decides both civil and criminal cases; the Court is part of the Danish legal system
subordinate courts
Court of the First Instance or Tribunal de Première Instance; Court of Administrative Law or Tribunal Administratif; Mixed Commercial Court; Land Court
Executive branch
cabinet
Landsstyri appointed by the prime minister
chief of state
King FREDERIK X of Denmark (since 14 January 2024), represented by High Commissioner Lene Moyell JOHANSEN, chief administrative officer (since 15 May 2017) (2024)
head of government
Prime Minister Aksel V. JOHANNESEN (since 22 December 2022)
most recent election date
8 December 2022
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; high commissioner appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the Parliament usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as the prime minister
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Olaifest (Olavsoka), 29 July (1030)
note: commemorates the death in battle of King OLAF II of Norway, later St. OLAF
Dependency status
part of the Kingdom of Denmark; self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark since 1948
Political parties
Center Party or H (Midflokkurin) People's Party or A (Folkaflokkurin) Progress Party or F (Framsokn) Republic or E (Tjodveldi) (formerly the Republican Party) Social Democratic Party or JF (Javnadarflokkurin) or JF Union Party or B (Sambandsflokkurin)
Legislative branch
note
note: the Faroe Islands elect 2 members to the Danish Parliament to serve 4-year terms
term in office
4 years
number of seats
33 (directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Faroese Parliament (Logting)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
12/8/2022
expected date of next election
2026
percentage of women in chamber
27.3%
parties elected and seats per party
JF (9); B (7); A (6); E (6); F (3); H (2)
National anthem(s)
title
"Mitt alfagra land" (My Fairest Land)
history
adopted 1948; the anthem is also known as "Tu alfagra land mitt" (Thou Fairest Land of Mine); as a self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark, the Faroe Islands are permitted to have their own national anthem
lyrics/music
Simun av SKAROI/Peter ALBERG
National symbol(s)
ram
Administrative divisions
29 first-order municipalities ( kommunur , singular - kommuna ) Eidhi, Eystur, Famjin, Fuglafjordhur, Fugloy, Hov, Husavik, Hvalba, Hvannasund, Klaksvik, Kunoy, Kvivik, Nes, Porkeri, Runavik, Sandur, Sjovar, Skalavik, Skopun, Skuvoy, Sorvagur, Sumba, Sunda, Torshavn, Tvoroyri, Vagar, Vagur, Vestmanna, Vidhareidhi
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
none (self-governing overseas administrative division of Denmark)
International organization participation
Arctic Council, IMO (associate), NC, NIB, UNESCO (associate), UPU