Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

The badge, modified in 2001, bears the inscription Al Merito della Repubblica encircling the national coat of arms on the obverse and the Latin Patriæ Unitati (for the union of the country) and Civium Libertati (for the liberty of the citizens) encircling the head of Italia Turrita on the reverse.[1] The six degrees with corresponding ribbons are as follows (with numbers to 2 June 2020):

Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Awarded by  Italy
Type Order of knighthood
Eligibility Civilian and military divisions
Awarded for Meritorious service or achievement
Status Extant
Statistics
Established 3 March 1951; 73 years ago (3 March 1951)
Precedence
Next (lower) Military Order of Italy
Ribbon
(1951–2001)
Ribbon
(since 2001)
Class (English) Full title in Italian Awards
Cordone di gran Croce di Gran Cordone OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 GC-GCord BAR.svg Grand Cross with Collar Gran Croce si Collare Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 199
Cordone di gran Croce OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 GC BAR.svg 1st Class / Grand Cross Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 9,178
Grande ufficiale OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 GUff BAR.svg 2nd Class / Grand Officer Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 24,830
Commendatore OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 Com BAR.svg 3rd Class / Commander Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 48,184
Ufficiale OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 Uff BAR.svg 4th Class / Officer Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 33,442
Cavaliere OMRI BAR.svg ITA OMRI 2001 Cav BAR.svg 5th Class / Member Membro Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 146,390

The order is bestowed by decree of the President of the Italian Republic, as head of the orders of knighthood, on the recommendation of the President of the Council of Ministers. Except in exceptional circumstances, no one can be awarded for the first time a rank higher than Knight. The minimum age requirement is normally 35.

The Knight Grand Cross with Collar is awarded only to heads of state.

Order Of Merit Of The Italian Republic Media

References

  1. By Decree of the President of the Republic No. 173 of 30 March 2001