[1] It ceased to be awarded following the collapse of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II in Europe.

The wearing of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle is prohibited in the Federal Republic of Germany.

In addition to awards to non-Germans, the Reich Foreign Minister and the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia received a 'Special Class' (Sonderstufe), with identical insignia to the Grand Cross of the Order.

[2] In 1943 Dr. Wilhelm Frick received the Special Class after becoming Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia.

From 1937 to 1943 the Order was presented in six classes:[2] A unique Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the German Eagle in Gold with Diamonds (Grosskreuz des Deutschen Adlerordens in Gold und Brillanten) was also awarded to Benito Mussolini on 25 September 1937.