The list of the world’s most powerful passports for 2025 by the Henley Passport Index has been released. The ranking lists the countries that allow their citizens to travel to other countries without .
The index was created by London-based citizenship and residency consultancy Henley & Partners. In its 20th year, the index tracks global freedoms in 227 countries and territories around the world, using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
According to its data, which is reported by , Singapore has taken the first place in power, as its holders enjoy visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations worldwide. These are the most destinations that a state offers.
Japan is second in the ranking, with access to 193 destinations. In fact, it regained visa-free access to neighboring China for the first time since the lockdown.
Greece shares sixth place with Australia, having access to 189 destinations.
The positions of other European states
EU member states France, Germany, Italy and Spain are in third place, along with Finland and South Korea, with access to 192 visa-free destinations.
The fourth place in the ranking confirms the strength of the Schengen area of the European Union. In particular, it was conquered by seven EU countries, Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Each has visa-free access to 191 destinations.
In fifth place are five countries, Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, which offer visa-free access to 190 destinations.
The rest of the top 10 is dominated by European countries, with few exceptions. Malta, Poland and Canada are ranked seventh.
Eighth place is shared by the Czech Republic and Hungary. While, the USA and Estonia are in ninth place.
In tenth place are Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia and the United Arab Emirates.
At the very bottom of the rankings, in last place is Afghanistan, with visa-free access to just 26 destinations, two fewer than a year ago. Syria is in 105th place (with 27 destinations), while Iraq is one place higher (with 31 destinations).
Which countries rose significantly and which fell
The United Arab Emirates has rebounded significantly, gaining access to an additional 72 destinations since 2015. Thus, it rose 32 places to 10th place with visa-free access to 185 destinations.
China is also a big gainer, having moved up the list from 94th in 2015 to 60th in 2025.
Only 22 of the world’s 199 passports have declined in the past decade. Venezuela saw the biggest drop. However, the USA also follows, which “fell” by seven places from second to 9th.
The South Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu also receded. The same thing happened to the British passport, which went from the first place in the ranking to the fifth.
Finally, Canada is on the losers’ list, falling three places in the last decade.
The 10 most powerful passports for 2025
- Singapore (195 destinations)
- Japan (193)
- France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, South Korea (192)
- Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway (191)
- Belgium, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, United Kingdom (190)
- Greece, Australia (189)
- Canada, Poland, Malta (188)
- Hungary, Czech Republic (187)
- Estonia, United States (186)
- Lithuania, Latvia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates (185)
