Order of Merit of Schleswig Holstein

The Order of Merit of Schleswig-Holstein (German: Verdienstorden des Landes Schleswig-Holstein) is an award presented by the Minister-President of German state Schleswig-Holstein. Established in 2008, it is the highest award of the state. Prior to 2008, the Schleswig-Holstein-Medaille was the highest award of the state. In the establishing decree of the order it states prior recipients of the medal are members of the order. To preserve the exclusivity of the order it is limited to 500 living recipients.