The Order of Merit of the Free State of Thuringia (German: Verdienstorden des Freistaats Thüringen) is the highest order which is bestowed by the Free State of Thuringia. The number of living holders of the order is limited to 300 persons.[1]
| Order of Merit of the Free State of Thuringia | |
|---|---|
 Insignia of the Order of Merit of the Free State of Thuringia | |
| Type | Order of merit |
| Country | Germany |
| Presented by | the Free State of Thuringia |
| Established | 19 September 2000 |
| First awarded | 22 November 2000 |
 Ribbon bar of the order | |
Notable recipients
- Iris von Arnim
- Rolf-Dieter Arens
- Alan Bern
- Andreas Birkmann[2]
- Yehoshua Büchler
- Tankred Dorst[2]
- Josef Duchac[2]
- Helmut Fritsche
- Stéphane Hessel
- Ivan Ivanji
- Sarah Kirsch[2]
- Hans-Reinhard Koch
- Hilmar Kopper[2]
- Reiner Kunze[2]
- Werner Leich[2]
- Peter Maser
- Gunda Niemann-Stirnemann[2]
- Peter Röhlinger
- Stephan Schambach
- Lothar Späth[2]
- Bernhard Vogel[2]
- Nike Wagner
- Günter Weiler[2]