Order of Merit of the Italian Republic

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 (3 March 1951)
Precedence
Next (lower) Military Order of Italy

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):

Ribbon
(1951–2001)
Ribbon
(since 2001)
Class (English) Full title in Italian Awards
Grand Cross with Collar Gran Croce si Collare Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 199
1st Class / Grand Cross Gran Croce Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 9,178
2nd Class / Grand Officer Grande Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 24,830
3rd Class / Commander Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 48,184
4th Class / Officer Ufficiale Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana 33,442
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.

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

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