Europe’s most powerful passports revealed as US falls to lowest rank in 20 years

The world’s astir powerful passports person been revealed - and while it’s bully news for nan EU, nan US has suffered a immense blow.

More than 25 European countries stay successful nan apical 10 position of nan Henley Passport Index, outranked only by a trifecta of Asian nations.

However, for nan first-time successful 20 years, nan US nary longer ranks successful nan apical 10, while nan UK has besides plummeted to an all-time low.

Which state has nan world’s astir powerful passport?

Using information from nan International Air Transport Association (AITA), nan Henley Passport Index ranks nan world’s passports based connected nan number of destinations their holders tin participate without a anterior visa.

Singapore came retired victorious pinch visa-free accessto an awesome 193 destinations, soon followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189).

EU nations continued to predominate nan tables, while nan UK besides dropped to its lowest-ever position connected nan scale - slipping from 6th spot to 8th place.

1. Singapore
2. South Korea
3. Japan
4. Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland
5. Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland and nan Netherlands
6. Greece, Hungary, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal and Sweden
7. Australia, Czechia, Malta and Poland
8. Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, United Arab Emirates and nan United Kingdom
9. Canada
10. Latvia and Liechtenstein

American passport holders tin presently entree 180 destinations visa-free. As a result, nan state has dropped associated 12th connected nan index, tied pinch Malaysia.

The rustle comes aft President Donald Trump unleashed a wide visa suspension to travellers from 12 nations, imposed dense restrictions connected 7 much and threatened dozens of countries pinch bans.

The US itself only allows 46 different nationalities to participate without a visa, putting nan federation successful 77th spot connected nan Henley Openness Index, which ranks 199 countries and territories worldwide according to nan number of nationalities they licence introduction to without a anterior visa.

A ‘fundamental displacement successful world mobility’

Dr Christian H. Kaelin, president of Henley & Partners and creator of nan Henley Passport Index, argues that while these changes whitethorn look mini they person “outsized consequences”.

“The declining spot of nan US passport complete nan past decade is much than a reshuffle successful rankings - it signals a basal displacement successful world mobility and soft powerfulness dynamics,” he says.

Dr Kaelin adds that nations that “embrace openness and cooperation” are surging successful nan rankings, while those reliant connected “past privilege” are being near behind.

China’s boosted passport power

China has witnessed nan biggest boost successful passport power, climbing from 94th spot successful 2015 to 64th successful 2025 arsenic visa-free entree has accrued to see 37 much destinations during nan decade.

In nan past twelvemonth alone, China has granted visa-free access to an further 30 countries. This intends it now sits astatine 65th position connected nan Henley Openness Index.

“Trump’s return to powerfulness has brought caller waste and acquisition conflicts that weaken America’s mobility, while China’s strategical openness boosts its world influence,” says Dr Tim Klatte, partner astatine Grant Thornton China.

“These diverging paths will reshape economical and recreation dynamics worldwide.”

‘The caller American dream’

Henley & Partners suggests nan diminution successful US passport powerfulness is fuelling an “unprecedented surge” successful request for replacement residence and citizenship options.

Data shows that Americans person now go nan largest group of applicants for finance migration programs successful 2025. By nan extremity of Q3, applications from US nationals were already 67 per cent higher than nan full for 2024.

Professor Peter J Spiro of Temple University Law School says successful nan coming years much Americans will beryllium trying to summation further citizenship successful immoderate measurement they can.

“Multiple citizenship is being normalised successful American society. While it whitethorn beryllium a spot of an exaggeration, arsenic 1 societal media poster precocious put it, ‘dual citizenship is nan caller American dream’,” he adds.