Passport Ranking – What are the Best Passports?
Every time there is a significant change in the visa landscape, the Global Passport Index, empowered by Arton Capital, updates its list of the strongest passports in the world. It is the only real-time tool to verify each country’s passport power and is updated frequently, as new waivers and exemptions are released. The Global Passport Index considers the passports issued by 193 United Nations member countries and 6 territories, accounting for a total of 199 different documents.
The method applied to determine the passport ranking includes the possibilities the traveler will face when arriving in a foreign country: "visa-free", "visa on arrival" "eTA" (Electronic Travel Authorization), "pre-enrollment visa", "eVisa" or "visa required". It also includes the visa-free portion of their score vs. visa-on-arrival option, and the United Nations Development Program Human Development Index is used as a tiebreaker.
You can find below the Top 5 Most Powerful Passports in the world as of 2024 according to the Global Passport Index. Please keep in mind this list is subject to change as the information was accurate at the time of the writing of this article.
- #1 – United Arab Emirates
- #2 – France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain
- #3 – Austria, Finland, Luxembourg, Sweden, and Switzerland
- #4 – Greece, Portugal, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, Poland
- #5 – Czechia, Hungary, Singapore, South Korea, United Kingdom
Global Passport Power Rank 2024
Rank: 1
United Arab Emirates179Rank: 2
France177
Germany177
Italy177
Rank: 3
Austria176
Switzerland176Rank: 4
Belgium175
Portugal175
Greece175
Norway175
Ireland175Investment Immigration Programs: Which Ones Offer the Most Powerful Passports?
Investment immigration programs are a pathway for investors to become Citizens in countries with strong passports. Investment Visa works only with the best programs from around the world and all the countries where we operate rank in the Top 40 of the Global Passport Index.
The best examples of this are Greece, Portugal, and Malta, two countries in the European Union, the former ranking 4th and the latter 7th in the Global Passport Index.
While the Greece Golden Visa is a Residency by Investment program, it is among the best available on the investment immigration market. With Real Estate purchase options starting at €250,000, it grants Residency in Greece, visa-free travel to the Schengen Zone, and family inclusion. It also unlocks the path to Citizenship, and with Greece’s position, having the 4th most powerful passport in the world, it presents the one of the best opportunities for investors.
Portugal, also ranking 4th in the Global Passport Index, offers its own Residency by Investment program: the Portugal D2 Visa. It enables foreign investors to become Residents in 3 months. Considering Portugal currently has the fastest path to EU Citizenship, only taking 5 years, the D2 Visa truly stands out, especially since it provides major benefits such as visa-free travel and family reunification.
Malta, on the other hand, ranks only slightly lower with the 7th strongest passport in the world. Although Malta has a direct Citizenship by Investment program, it requires a significantly larger investment amount, starting at €690,000. Endeavoring through this program also counters Greece with a shorter length of time.
Türkiye is another option in Europe, though it is not in the European Union. Overall, Türkiye ranks 35 in the Global Passport Index, its strategic location offering a gateway between European, Middle Eastern, and Asian markets. With Real Estate purchasing options starting at USD $400,000, the Turkish passport offers visa-free travel to over 77 countries and presents a tremendous investment opportunity.
Read more:
How to Get a Second Passport: a Guide for 2025
The Worst Passports and Citizenship by Investment Programs
Investment Visa’s reach goes beyond Europe, and our advisory team also guides investors worldwide in becoming citizens in other regions of the world, such as the Caribbean.
Out of all the island nations, Antigua and Barbuda stands out from the remaining countries, ranking 24 in the 2024 Global Passport Index. The remaining Caribbean islands with Citizenship by Investment programs do not stray much further, with Saint Lucia ranking 29, Grenada at 30, and Dominica at 33. Despite not ranking as high as most European Union countries, these Caribbean countries offer powerful passports. With most Real Estate purchasing options starting at USD $200,000, these programs represent cost-effective solutions to obtain visa-free travel, as well as a plethora of tax benefits. Besides the natural beauty and the appeal of the Caribbean lifestyle, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and Saint Lucia are all ahead of countries such as Saudi Arabia, and China in the Passport Index.
Our team of advisors has deep knowledge of how to navigate the specifications and complexities of each country, and they are ready to share this with you and guide you through the process of obtaining a second Citizenship.
Contact Investment Visa today to find more and get the best help toward a brighter future.
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