The 10 Most Powerful Passports in the World, According to Experts
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Traveling is a great way to explore different cultures, enjoy nature, and spend time with family and friends. To make your trip smooth, it’s important to have documents such as boarding passes, passports, and visas ready before you travel. Fortunately, some countries make travel easier by allowing visitors to enter without getting a visa beforehand.
Henley & Partners has released its Passport Index, which ranks countries’ passports based on the number of visa-free destinations its nationals can access. Let’s see which countries made it to the top 10 of the most powerful passports in the world.
1. Singapore (195 destinations)
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Singapore has consistently ranked as one of the countries with the strongest passports in the world, with only 31 requiring a visa upon entry. Singapore also ranked first in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and its ranking has never slipped lower than 10th place since 2011.
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2. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain (192 destinations)
Ranking second on our list are four countries from Europe and one from Asia, with 34 destinations requiring a visa upon entry. France, Germany, Ita ly, and Spain were also ranked 2nd in 2023, while Japan previously held the title of the most powerful passport in the world in 2023.
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3. Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden (191 destinations)
Next on our list of countries with powerful passports in the world are five countries from Europe and one from Asia, with 35 destinations requiring a visa upon entry. South Korea ranked 2nd from 2021 to 2023, while Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Sweden climbed up their spots this year.
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4. Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom (190 destinations)
Landing fourth on our list of countries with powerful passports are five European countries and one from Oceania, with 36 destinations requiring a visa upon entry. All of these countries have retained their rankings from 2023. Denmark held the title of the world’s most powerful passport from 2006 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2012. The United Kingdom held this title in 2010 and from 2013 to 2015.
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5. Australia and Portugal (189 destinations)
Australia and Portugal are tied for 5th place, with 37 destinations requiring a visa upon entry. Australia rose from 8th place, while Portugal took one step up from 6th place in 2023.
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6. Greece and Poland (188 destinations)
Up next on our list are Greece and Poland, with 38 destinations requiring a visa upon entry. Greece rose from 8th place while Poland climbed from 9th place in 2023.
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7. Canada, Czechia, Hungary, and Malta (187 destinations)
Following next on our list are three countries from Europe and one from North America. Czechia has remained in 7th place since 2021, while Canada and Malta rose from 8th place, and Hungary rose from 9th place.
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8. United States (186 destinations)
The United States takes the sole spot in the 8th place of countries with the most powerful passports, with 40 destinations requiring a visa upon entry. The United States previously held the title of the most powerful passport in the world in 2006 and 2014.
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9. Estonia, Lithuania, and United Arab Emirates (185 destinations)
Three countries take the ninth place in the list of most powerful passports in the world, with 41 destinations requiring a visa upon entry. These countries have been steadily strengthening their passports, with Lithuania starting from 24th place, Estonia in 26th place, and the United Arab Emirates from 62nd place in 2006.
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10. Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia (184 destinations)
Four European countries take the tenth spot in the list of most powerful in the world, with 42 destinations requiring a visa upon entry. Slovakia, Slovenia, and Latvia have been steadily climbing the ranks over the years. In 2006, Latvia started at 26th place, Slovakia at 22nd place, and Slovenia at 17th place. Additionally, Ireland made a significant jump from 13th place in 2023.
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