History

The Order was awarded to Hungarians and foreign citizens that promoted, and provided support for, Hungary's democratic interests within national and international civil and military spheres.

The Order grades was awarded in two versions, the Civil Division and the Military Division. In theory, the Civil Division awards feature a plain (un-enamelled) shield on the obverse, while the Military Division awards feature an enamelled shield on the obverse. Yet in practice, the enamelled shield version of the awards is known to have been conferred to recognize both civil and military merit.

This Order was based on the Hungarian Order of Merit awarded during the Hungarian Regency. This Republic of Hungary Order iteration was abolished in 1949, and a new iteration was re-established in 1991.

The Small Grand Cross was worn as a less formal version of the full-sized Grand Cross.

These grades, also known as Kleine Dekorationen or Small Orders, adopted the form of the Knight with associated ribbon decorations.

The ribbon of the Small Grand Cross features a miniaturized version Grand Cross Breast Star decoration.

See the Hungarian Order of Merit, HUN102, in the Hungarian Regency (1918-1944), the Order of Merit of the Hungarian People's Republic, HUN159, in the Hungarian People's Republic (1949-1989), and the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, HUN236, in Hungary (1989-) for more information.