Scientific advancements have made it easier for people to travel far and wide. While every country issues passports to its citizens (and sometimes others in particular circumstances), this “power” can differ.
The Henley Passport Index annually ranks passports by announcing how many places a citizen of a particular country can travel to without a visa. As of May 11, 2024, the following 19 countries can boast of having the world’s most powerful passports:
1. France (1st):
Besides being the most visited country in the world, France currently enables passport holders to travel to a whopping 194 countries visa-free or through visa on arrival.
The French passport jumped from world No.6 to the top of the Henley Global rankings in 2024. However, France occupies the No. 1 position with the following five entries on our list.
2. Germany (1st):
Since 2006, the German passport has been among the world’s five most powerful passports. It topped the index several times between 2014 and 2017.
2024 marked Germany’s return to world No. 1, with visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to 194 countries.
3. Italy (1st):
Thanks to Article 21 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, citizens of the member states have the right to move and reside freely within the EU.
This, combined with the increasing power of the Italian passport, put Italy at the top of the index for the first time since 2006. Italian citizens can travel to 194 countries without a visa or get one on arrival.
4. Japan (1st):
The strength of the Japanese passport always dominates global passport rankings. In 2024, Japan extended its five-year reign as the world no.1 on the Henley Passport Index with visa or visa-on-arrival access to 194 countries.
5. Singapore (1st):
Another Asian passport holding the No. 1 spot is the one issued by Singapore. The city-state, a shining gem in the economic world, has consistently ranked in the top two positions for quite some time now. It dethroned Japan briefly last year.
Like other No.1 entries on the list, the Singaporean passport allows travel to 194 countries without visa hassles.
6. Spain (1st):
Spain is the fourth EU country to be ranked at the top when it comes to the power of its passport. The passport allows one to visit 194 countries without a visa.
Until December 2023, however, the Spanish passport only provided non-visa access to 160 countries and territories.
7. Austria (2nd):
As you may have noticed in the list, EU member states are doing quite well in providing ease of travel to their citizens.
The Austrian passport is in second place, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 countries.
8. Finland (2nd):
Another passport that allows access to 193 countries is Finland’s, justifying its second-place ranking.
The Henley index ranked Finland third in 2022 because it only allowed visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 189 countries (and territories).
9. Ireland (2nd):
Like the Austrian and Finnish passports, the Irish passport grants access to 193 countries and territories.
This passport has consistently been powerful throughout the years—the lowest it ever ranked was 7th in 2010. What a good time to be Irish, if I do say so myself!
10. Luxembourg (2nd):
Luxembourgish passports are valid for two years for children under four, and five years for those aged four and above. They are powerful passports that allow access to 193 countries and territories.
11. Netherlands (2nd):
Issued by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Dutch passport also holds the second position in global rankings.
Allowing visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry into 193 countries, the passport is the same for all countries in the Kingdom (Aruba, Curaçao, the Netherlands, and Sint Maarten).
12. South Korea (2nd):
South Korea’s diplomatic relationships with several countries have made its passport powerful.
Interestingly, according to Arton Capital, the South Korean passport might surpass Germany’s power. South Korea is one of the seven countries granted visa-free access in Uzbekistan in 2018.
13. Sweden (2nd):
Sweden retained a first or second position in global rankings for a few years before falling to sixth place in 2020.
A bill passed in 2016 stated that only three passports can be issued to a Swedish national over five years.
14. Belgium (3rd):
Starting things off for the third rank is another EU member—and a founding member, no less–Belgium.
The Belgian passport gives visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 countries.
15. Denmark (3rd):
The Denmark passport is also ranked third because of its aThe United States ranked 6th with access to 189 countries and territories.
Interestingly, there are different versions of the passport for Denmark, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland.
16. United Kingdom (3rd):
Gone are the days when the U.S. and the U.K. ruled this chart. While Brexit didn’t remove British passport holders’ visa-free travel to the EU and Schengen Area privileges, the withdrawal has made it easier for other nations to ascend the list.
As of 2024, a British passport holder can travel to 192 countries without a visa or obtain a visa on arrival, just like the other passports in third position.
17. Norway (4th):
Kicking things off in fourth place is Norway – the Norwegian passport allows freedom of movement in the European Economic Area and the states of the European Free Trade Association. The passport allows entry into 191 visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations.
18. Portugal (4th):
The Portuguese passport ranks fourth in terms of travel freedom, tied with Norway and Switzerland. This means one can visit 191 countries and territories with a Portuguese passport.
19. Switzerland (4th):
The last entry in the 4th rank is Switzerland. The Swiss passport has an identifiable and distinct red color, which it only got in August 1959. The passport has seen quite a rise in the ranks after coming in 7th in 2023.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.