Traveling without borders is a luxury that only some passports can guarantee. The ranking Global Passport Power Rank 2024 by Arton Capital reveals which countries offer the greatest freedom to their citizens.
This ranking takes into account the passports of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories: Taiwan, Macau, Hong Kong, Kosovo, the Palestinian Territories and the Vatican. Territories annexed to other countries are excluded.
The index is updated in real time throughout the year, with data collected by carefully monitoring government portals. It is a tool designed for travellers, to provide accurate and easy-to-consult information.
United Arab Emirates in first place
For the fourth year in a row, the UAE passport dominates the ranking. Emirati citizens can visit as many as 133 countries without the need for a visa and obtain a visa on arrival in 47 others.
Europe tops the list
Spain ranks second, allowing its citizens to travel visa-free to 134 countries and visa-on-arrival to a further 45.
Third place is shared by 13 European nations, including Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Norway. These countries boast similar access, demonstrating the strength of the European continent in ensuring freedom of movement for its citizens.
The decline of the United States and the United Kingdom
Despite their geopolitical weight, the United States and the United Kingdom find themselves in difficulty. The US dropped to 38th place, allowing visa-free entry to 123 countries and visa-on-arrival to 50. The UK doesn’t fare much better, ranking 32nd with 125 countries accessible without a visa. Both countries have lost positions compared to previous years, highlighting a decline in their diplomatic power.
What makes a passport “powerful”?
Arton Capital’s ranking is based on accessibility: the more countries you can visit without bureaucratic complications, the more powerful the passport is considered.
Why does it matter?
A powerful passport is not only a travel tool, but also an indicator of a country’s diplomatic strength and the quality of life of its citizens. This ranking is not just a curiosity, but a reflection of the global dynamics that influence the way we move around the world.
Other rankings
According to the ranking of the most powerful passports in the world, The Henley Passport Index, Italy is in first place in 2024. With the Italian passport it is possible to visit 194 countries without the need for a visa, together with France, Germany, Spain, Singapore and Japan.
This ranking evaluates the “power” of passports based on the number of destinations accessible without a visa, based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Countries get one point for each location accessible without a visa, offering an indicator of freedom of movement for citizens.
Europe dominates, while conflicts penalize other countries
Europe is well represented in the top 10: Finland, Sweden and South Korea occupy second place, followed by Austria, Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands in third. Countries such as Greece, Malta and Switzerland complete the top positions.
In contrast, countries such as Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq find themselves at the bottom of the ranking, penalized by conflicts and political instability. Afghanistan, in particular, is at the bottom of the list with visa-free access to just 28 countries.
