Yes. Germany still uses an eagle as its national emblem. It is the federal eagle, known in German as the Bundesadler. It is a black eagle on a gold shield, and it appears in the federal coat of arms. It has no swastika, and it is a different design from the eagles of the Nazi era.
The federal eagle (Bundesadler)
The federal coat of arms shows a black eagle on a gold shield. The coat of arms was re-established in 1950. The eagle’s ancestry is often traced back through older German states and the Holy Roman Empire, so it is one of the long-standing national symbols in Europe. Its meaning today is the state itself rather than any party or regime.
Where the eagle still appears
The federal eagle is used in official contexts. These include the federal coat of arms, government seals and some federal flags. It appears on official documents and in federal state contexts. Use in everyday settings, such as sports or private display, is a separate question that depends on the context and on local custom.
How it differs from wartime eagles
- No swastika. The federal eagle has no swastika in its talons. The wartime eagles, including the state eagle (Reichsadler) and the party eagle (Parteiadler), did.
- A different design. The federal eagle is not the same design as the Nazi-era eagles. Collectors can confuse them at a glance because both are black eagles, so check the details and the context.
- A different state. The federal eagle belongs to the Federal Republic of Germany. The wartime eagles belonged to the Nazi state and its party, and they are the subject of the legal restrictions described below.
For the names and types of the wartime eagle, see what the WWII German eagle is called.
Legal and display notes
In Germany, using and distributing Nazi-era symbols, including the swastika and the eagle with a swastika, is restricted under section 86a of the German Criminal Code. There are exemptions for education, art and history. The modern federal eagle is not subject to these restrictions. Other countries apply their own rules. Check the law where you live and where you buy or sell before you act.
Why it matters for collectors
Collectors who handle German military items will see both kinds of eagle. The quickest check is whether the eagle holds a swastika. If it does, it is a wartime emblem, and the legal notes above apply. If it does not, it may be modern or a different emblem entirely. For wartime pieces, the WWII German eagle badge article covers identification and the branch variants.