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):

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

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; 74 years ago (3 March 1951)
Precedence
Next (lower)	Military Order of Italy

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.