World’s best passport

Ben Hocking

4 years ago

Travelling isn’t easy right now, but some are finding it easier than others, and always will.

This is because some passports provide fewer restrictions on movement than others.

Research from consulting firm Nomad Capitalist has revealed this year’s best passports to own, and the top three – Ireland, Sweden and Luxembourg – could not be split.

The Nomad Passport Index ranks the citizenships of 199 countries according to visa-free travel, international taxation laws, global perception, dual citizenship and personal freedom.

Sweden, which was previously ranked No.2, climbed its way into a three-way tie at the top thanks to visa-free travel to 186 countries, high levels of personal freedom and an excellent global reputation.

Luxembourg, which has been at the top of the index for three years in a row, has excellent passport perception as a country that bothers no-one and its citizens enjoy high levels of freedom.

Ireland’s decision to opt out of Europe’s Schengen Area means that it has fewer visa-free travel options than some mainland EU countries, but the Emerald Isle’s reputation makes travelling as an Irish citizen generally hassle free.

Just below the top three, Switzerland and Belgium were tied for equal fourth position in the index, while Finland and Portugal were tied for sixth.

Singapore was the first non-European passport on the list in eighth position, tied with Malta and the Czech Republic. Singapore’s passport allows easy access to 190 countries, which is second only to Japan in the category.

Australia’s passport was ranked the equal 32nd best passport to hold, behind New Zealand (equal 16th), Slovakia (equal 23rd), Lithuania (29th) and Chile (equal 30th).

If you are wondering what passports are the worst, war-torn countries dominate all the final positions, with Afghanistan being adjudged the very worst in 199th place.

Do you have a dual citizenship? How does your second passport rate on the index?

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