When it comes to traveling freely across borders with minimal bureaucracy, the strength of a passport plays a decisive role. The latest Henley Passport Index for 2026 maps out which countries offer their citizens the greatest global mobility, based on visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to destinations worldwide.
At the top of the ranking is Singapore, whose passport holders can enter 192 out of 227 destinations without a prior visa. Japan and South Korea share second place, each offering access to 188 destinations.
Europe dominates the upper tier of the index. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland jointly occupy third place with access to 186 destinations. Close behind, a larger group of European countries—including Greece—ranks fourth, with visa-free access to 185 destinations. This places Greece firmly among the world’s most powerful passports, offering its citizens extensive freedom of movement.
A standout performer in recent years is the United Arab Emirates, now ranked fifth with access to 184 destinations. According to Henley & Partners, this represents the most significant rise in the index’s 20-year history, as the UAE has added 149 destinations since 2006 through sustained diplomatic efforts.
In contrast, traditional travel powerhouses have seen their positions weaken. The United Kingdom recorded the largest annual drop, losing access to eight destinations in a single year, while the United States ranks tenth with 179 destinations, down seven over the past 12 months. Over the long term, the US has fallen six places in two decades.
As noted in the report, passport strength reflects more than travel convenience. It is closely tied to political stability, diplomatic credibility, and a country’s influence in shaping international rules—factors that also explain broader geopolitical shifts.
At the bottom of the ranking, Afghanistan remains last, with visa-free access to just 24 destinations, followed by Syria and Iraq. The gap between the top and bottom of the index highlights stark global inequalities in mobility, with a difference of 168 destinations separating the strongest and weakest passports.
Top Passports in 2026 (Selected Rankings):
- Singapore – 192 destinationsJapan, South Korea – 188
- Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland – 186
- Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway – 185
- United Arab Emirates – 184
- United States – 179
