After a year and a half of staying home, everyone is excited to whip out their passports, head to the airport and enjoy a holiday abroad, or a reunion with family and friends.
But not all passports are created equal. The world’s strongest passports allow their holders access to more countries without extra requirements—like added visas—therefore giving them more travel freedom.
The Henley Passport Index (HPI), compiled by Henley & Partners, has ranked the strongest passports for travel freedom based on how many countries they can access by passport alone. According to the ranking’s data from Q3 2021, here are the top 25 passports for travel freedom.
1. Japan
The Japanese passport is rated the most powerful in the world, with this passport allowing the holder to enter 193 different countries and territories without having to get a visa in advance.
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A Japanese passport being held up in an airport. Getty Images
2. Singapore
The Singaporean passport is close behind, allowing its holder to enter 192 countries.
Passport from the Republic of Singapore. Getty Images
=3. Germany/ South Korea
Germany and South Korea are tied in third, with 191 countries available.
An example of a South Korean passport. Getty Images
=5. Finland/ Italy/ Luxembourg/ Spain
European Union countries make up the bulk of the HPI ranking. Finnish, Italian, Luxembourgish and Spanish passports allowing visa-free entry into 190 countries.
An Italian passport, slightly open. Getty Images
=9. Austria/ Denmark
Austria and Denmark citizens can enjoy visa-free entrance to 189 countries.
=11. France/ Ireland/ The Netherlands/ Portugal/ Sweden
More EU countries near the top of this rundown, with visa-free access to 188 countries.
An Irish passport sticking out of a suitcase. Getty Images
=16. Belgium/ New Zealand/ Switzerland/ United Kingdom/ United States
Squeaking inside the top 20, those from the U.S. and the U.K. rarely have to deal with visa requirements, and their passports—along with passports from Belgium, New Zealand and Switzerland—allow entry into 187 countries.
Woman holding American passport and boarding pass. Getty Images
=21. Czech Republic/ Greece/ Malta/ Norway
Czech, Greek, Maltese and Norwegian passports can gain access to 186 countries visa-free.
An example of a Maltese passport. Getty Images
=25. Australia/ Canada
Both the Australian and Canadian passport are accepted visa-free by 185 countries.
An Australian passport held over a suitcase. Getty Images
27. Hungary
A Hungarian passport breaks the top 30 strongest passports, with 184.
A Hungarian passport in a suitcase pocket. Getty Images
=30. Slovakia/ Lithuania/ Poland
These three passports follow on 183.
A woman handing over her Polish passport. Getty Images
=33. Slovenia/Latvia/ Iceland/ Estonia
Close behind are Slovenian, Latvian, Icelandic and Estonian passports, with access to 182 countries, visa-free.
An example of a Slovenian passport.Getty Images
=37. Malaysia/ Liechtenstein
Some 179 countries accept passports from Malaysia or Liechtenstein without a visa.
A pile of Malaysian passports. Getty Images
39. Cyprus
Cyprus citizens can enjoy 176 countries, visa-free.
The Cyprus flag. Getty Images
=40. Monaco/ United Arab Emirates
Both much-loved luxury holiday destinations, passports from the UAE and Monaco can visit 175 countries without a visa.
A view of Dubai in United Arab Emirates. Getty Images
42. Chile/ Romania/ Bulgaria
Chilean, Romanian and Bulgarian passports are accepted without other entry requirements by 174 countries.
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A Chilean passport sticking out of a bag pocket. Getty Images
45. Croatia
A Croatian passport is close behind, with access to 173 countries visa free.
A stone street in Split in Croatia. Getty Images
46. Hong Kong
While a Chinese passport is poorly ranked, at 74th in the world list, Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, is 18th, with access to 171 countries visa-free.
An arrivals sign at Hong Kong International Airport. Getty Images
=47. Brazil/ Argentina
Brazilians and Argentinians can get into 170 countries without a visa with their passports.
An example of a Brazilian passport. Getty Images
=49. San Marino/ Andorra
San Marino, a microstate that is also one of the world’s wealthiest countries by GDP, boasts a passport that can enter 169 countries visa-free, the same as Andorra.
The flag for San Marino. Getty Images
50. Brunei
Brunei’s passport can gain access to 166 countries without a prior visa.
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Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque in Brunei. Getty Images
51. Barbados
Barbados is one of the world’s most loved holiday destinations, but should someone choose to leave, they can go to 161 countries without a visa.
Barbados’s Bottom Bay. Getty Images
=52. Israel/ Mexico
Israel and Mexico’s passports are ranked at 159.
An example of an Israeli passport. Getty Images
54. St. Kitts and Nevis
The passport for these Caribbean islands gains access to 157 countries without other entry requirements.
A view of Basseterre in St Kitts and Nevis.Getty Images
55. Bahamas
And finally, Bahamas’ passports are accepted without a visa by 155 countries.
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