The Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (or Ehrenzeichen für Verdienste um die Republik Österreich in German) is a national honor established by the National Council in 1952 and awarded by the Republic of Austria.
The decoration is conferred by the Republic of Austria to honor people (from Austria and abroad) who have rendered meritorious services to the country.
Recipients are selected by the government and made by the President, who automatically receives the Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria by being elected to the office and holds this honor for life.
The decoration is awarded in 15 grades and is Austria’s highest national honor. The grades are:
Grand Star 
Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash 
Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Sash 
Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Star
Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver with Star
Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold 
Grand Decoration of Honour in Silver 
Grand Decoration of Honour 
Decoration of Honour in Gold 
Decoration of Honour in Silver 
Decoration of Merit in Gold 
Decoration of Merit in Silver
Gold Medal 
Silver Medal
Bronze Medal (no longer awarded)
The Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria Design
The badge of the Decoration is a Maltese Cross constructed of silvered bronze with multi-colored enamels. It measures 50.02 mm (w) x 50.25 (h).
The obverse has red and white enameled arms, and the reverse is plain. The six o’clock arm has an integral loop connecting to a suspension apparatus in the form of a silvered Republic-style Austrian national eagle surrounded by an enameled shield of the Austrian states, in turn with a suspension ring connecting to a period original neck ribbon.
The ribbon is red and white.
