Are you a travel lover and travel out of country several times each year? Is your favorite saying catch flights, not feelings, and your Instagram bio proudly states the number of countries you’ve visited (and counting!)? Then, chances are, you’ve got a pretty strong passport. Are you the proud holder of the world’s strongest passport, however? Which countries are the most advantageous wanderlust adventure seekers likely to be from? Let’s find out!
What is the Global Passport Index?
The global passport index is one that is completed for each new year determining who has the best and worst passports – that is to say, who has the most access to easy, visa-free travel? The world’s most powerful passports are a reflection of a country’s global status and the ease of travel that its citizens enjoy. In 2025, the Henley Passport Index has revealed some interesting rankings, showcasing the mobility opportunities that different passports afford their holders. Some countries have come up in the rankings, some have fallen, and the country with the strongest passport may surprise you.
Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in 2025
Before you read on to find out who made the top 10 in terms of passport mobility, stop for a second and see if you can guess. Which countries come to mind first as those who seemingly have easy access to travel and travel quite frequently? Naturally, we tend to think of some of the bigger, more affluent places first. Is it a North American country, such as Canada or the United States? Or perhaps a European country, like maybe France or Spain. While those are all good guesses, the spot really goes to…
Singapore! That’s right, the small, city-state country known for its incredible architecture, iconic skyline, amazing festivals, and unique language. If you are lucky enough to carry a Singaporean passport, you have visa-free access to the highest number of destinations in the world. This isn’t just for this year, either. They are the repeat champions. The top 10 list is as follows:
- Singapore – With visa-free access to 195 destinations, Singapore reclaims its top spot.
- Japan – Securing its silver medal with access to 193 destinations.
- France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, South Korea – Six countries share the third position with access to 192 destinations.
- Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden – Seven EU countries come in fourth place with access to 191 destinations.
- Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom – Fifth place with visa-free access to 190 destinations.
- Greece, Australia
- Canada, Poland, Malta
- Hungary, Czechia
- Estonia, United States
- Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates
Read More: Best U.S. Destinations for Solo Travelers Looking for an Epic Adventure
Bottom 10 Least Powerful Passports in 2025
Unfortunately for these passport holders, the bottom 10 are less difficult to predict. War-torn nations with suffering economies and often highly questionable human rights policies do not have strong passports. If you are the unfortunate carrier of one of these passports, traveling to far-off lands is probably not so high on your priority list, anyways. That is, unless you are hoping to immigrate to another country.
106. Afghanistan – With visa-free access to only 26 destinations.
105. Syria – Access to 27 destinations.
104. Iraq – Access to 31 destinations.
103. Pakistan, Yemen – Access to 33 destinations
102. Somalia – Access to 35 destinations
101. Nepal – Access to 39 destinations
100. Palestinian Territories, Libya, Bangladesh – Access to 40 destinations
99. North Korea – Access to 41 destinations
98. Eritrea – Access to 42 destinations
97. Sudan – Access to 43 destinations
Notable Changes in Passport Rankings
The global passport index in taken annually because, well, a lot can happen in a year. Agreements with other countries, laws, economic stability, and peace versus war can all change. All of these factors and more will affect whether other countries decide to put sanctions or stricter requirements for passport holders from other countries to access their own. We often see this when a major crisis in certain places occurs, causing a wave of migration to nearby nations. We also see it when there is political strife and uncertainty. Relationships between countries can either be strengthened or weakened quite quickly, which can affect one or both of their citizen’s capacity to go there.
- United Arab Emirates: One of the index’s biggest success stories, climbing 32 places since 2015 to 10th with access to 185 destinations.
- China: Significantly improved its position, jumping from 94th place in 2015 to 60th in 2025.
- United States: The United States at one point in history was number 2 on the list. In recent years, however, the US has been steadily sliding down to where it currently sits at number 9.
Why So Many Top Countries Are European Countries
The European Union (EU) member states rank highly in the passport index, benefiting from the border-free Schengen area that allows for seamless travel among member countries. However, despite being part of the EU, these countries do not have identical mobility levels due to factors such as bilateral agreements, security concerns, and visa policies with non-EU countries.
The Right To Movement
The Henley Passport Index reveals significant differences in the global mobility of citizens, with countries at the top enjoying far greater freedom of movement than those at the bottom. The disparity between the top and bottom of the index highlights inequalities in global access and citizenship rights, with millions of people facing restrictions and barriers to travel. Many experts are beginning to question how our passports function and the mobility, or lack thereof, that is granted to some not others. They are questioning this system primarily because our world is changing, rapidly. More extreme natural disasters are leaving some places unlivable that once were. Human rights issues, war, and economic strife are making some countries nearly impossible to live and thrive in. Despite all of this, which passport you have is based completely on luck: Whichever country you were born in, and maybe where one or both of your parents were born in, determines how much access you have not only to mobility, but opportunity, safety, food, and more.
The Bottom Line
There are many factors that influence whether or not a country has a strong passport. Countries move up or down on the passport index based on various factors, including diplomatic relationships, security considerations, changes in visa policies, and global events. Political instability, conflicts, and natural disasters can affect a country’s ranking, as seen in the shifts over the years. The global passport index serves as a valuable tool for individuals, businesses, and governments, highlighting the evolving landscape of global mobility and accessibility. It underscores the importance of citizenship and the privileges it affords, shedding light on disparities in travel freedoms worldwide.