How does one consider having a powerful passport? Recently, a report was released ranking the most powerful to least powerful countries based on various factors. The Nomad Capitalist Passport Index ranks the passports of 199 countries from most powerful to least powerful based not only on the number of countries a passport holder can enter visa-free, but also on “perception, international taxation, personal freedom and dual citizenship”.
But also Henley & Partners Holdings Ltd’s Henley Passport Index had its own ranking system which examines the number of countries a passport holder can visit without a visa. As expected, the 2 indices gave different results. Some countries can be determined by everyone, and others are in different ranks. Based on the results of their collaboration, these are the 10 most powerful passports in the world and why they were chosen:
1. Luxembourg
With 177 different countries that they can visit without a visa, these Luxembourgers enjoy not only this advantage, but also the fact that they can hold multiple citizenships which gives them a brilliant reputation. This puts them at the top of the Nomad Capitalist list.
2. Japan
This country ranks first in the Henley Passport Index because you can visit 180 countries without a visa!
In this ranking now, Asian countries are higher than European countries than before. This refers to the recent visa waiver agreement signed by Asian governments in early 2018.
3. Ireland
This country is on both lists, although with different ratings. But one thing is certain in both indexes, this passport is definitely very powerful. It allows visa-free entry to 176 countries, allows dual citizenship and is recognized as one of the happiest countries in the entire world.
4. Singapore
He is rated differently on both lists, but he certainly does not change his mind about entering 179 countries without a visa. Over the years, Singapore has risen, attracting new attention from every angle. A small city-state with a huge reputation!
5. Portugal
Holders of this country’s passport have the privilege of entering 177 countries without visas, and they can hold different nationalities. Freedom is intentionally high in this country, which helps Portugal rank extremely high on both indices. His rank jumped 11 places in the Nomad Capitalist Index in 2017, making him a notable watchlist.
6. Germany
The country is tied for second place with Singapore in the Henley Index, but ranks 10th in the Nomad Capitalists Index. Just like in Singapore, it has the privilege of visiting 179 countries without a visa. And with this privilege, he has the 2nd most powerful passport in the entire world.
7. Finland and other countries
Finland, South Korea, Sweden, Denmark, France, Italy and Spain – these countries fall to 3rd place in the Henley Index due to their offer of visa-free transit to 178 different countries. Denmark, Italy, Spain and Sweden are highly ranked in the top 10, which is the same as in the other indexes. The last four mentioned countries are consistently known for their high ranking. This is due to its positive reputation in relation to freedom and its dual citizenship.
8. New Zealand
New Zealand is also recognized as one of the happiest nations in the entire world and is ranked in the top 10 most powerful passports offering 173 visa-free access to different countries. It also includes a high level of freedom, and for passport holders multiple citizenships.
9. Malta
Their passport allows visa-free entry to 173 countries, tied for New Zealand in the Henley Index. Malta’s citizenship by investment program helped get it in the rankings. Like all other European countries on this list, they also offer a high level of freedom to their citizens.
10. Belgium
Ranked highly in two rankings, the country entered the top 10 for entering 174 visa-free countries, up from only 154 countries in previous years. Belgium is now gaining recognition in the world passport rankings as it adds more countries to its visa-free entry list.
