In 2024, the Henley Passport Index reveals a unique situation where six countries now share the top position, granting their citizens unprecedented visa-free access to a remarkable number of destinations. These countries include France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Singapore. Citizens of these nations can travel to an astounding 194 out of 227 global destinations without the need for a prior visa. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Japan and Singapore, along with these four EU member states, have jointly held the title of possessing the world’s most influential passports.
Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, the Chairman of Henley & Partners and the originator of the passport index concept, observes that although the Henley Passport Index has consistently reflected an ongoing trend towards increased travel freedom over its 19-year history, the global mobility disparity between the top and bottom-ranked countries has never been more pronounced. He notes that the average number of destinations accessible without a visa has nearly doubled, rising from 58 in 2006 to 111 in 2024. However, as we enter the new year, the leading countries on the index enjoy visa-free access to an astonishing 166 more destinations than Afghanistan, which ranks at the bottom of the list with only 28 countries accessible without a visa.
The most potent passports in the world for 2024 are as follows:
- France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Spain (194 destinations)
- Finland, South Korea, Sweden (193 destinations)
- Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands (192 destinations)
- Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, United Kingdom (191 destinations)
- Greece, Malta, Switzerland (190 destinations)
- Czech Republic, New Zealand, Poland (189 destinations)
- Canada, Hungary, United States (188 destinations)
- Estonia, Lithuania (187 destinations)
- Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (186 destinations)
- Iceland (185 destinations)
About the 2024 Henley Passport Index: The Henley Passport Index is the original ranking of passports worldwide, based on the number of destinations their holders can access without prior visa requirements. Created by Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, it utilizes official data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the world’s most comprehensive and accurate travel information database. The Henley Passport Index is further enriched by continuous research conducted by the Henley & Partners Research Department, offering cutting-edge expert insights and a historical record spanning over 19 years.