Passports are important documents that can allow you to travel to dreamy destinations around the world. 

They also carry a lot of power and politics behind them, and others are more helpful than others when it comes to jetting off to different locations. 

The Henley Passport Index analyses data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and looks at 199 different passports and 227 destinations. 

For 2026, the world’s most powerful passport is Singapore, which has remained number one for three years in a row now. 

A passport for the tiny Asian location can grant you access to 192 of the 227 countries included in the index, visa-free.

It was followed by Japan and South Korea, in joint second place, whose travel documents allow access to 188 countries. 

Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland all ranked third with visa-free entry to 186 destinations. 

Meanwhile, in joint fourth place are Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway.

The Henley Passport Index analyses data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and looks at 199 different passports and 227 destinations

This is followed by Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United Arab Emirates in fifth place, with access to 184 countries.

Since Brexit, the UK has been struggling stay high in the rankings and has gradually dropped down over the years.

In 2026, the blue passport can access 182 countries visa-free, and ranks seventh overall alongside Australia, Latvia and Liechtenstein.

This is a steady decrease from fifth place last year, with 190 destinations to visit, and fourth place in 2024.

Meanwhile, the United States has slumped down the table again too.

The US placed tenth in the 2026 passport index, with visa-free access to 179 countries.

Last year, the States ranked ninth, and in 2024 and 2023 it placed seventh.

For 2026, the world's most powerful passport is Singapore, which has remained number one for three years in a row now

For 2026, the world’s most powerful passport is Singapore, which has remained number one for three years in a row now

The world’s most powerful passports 

  1. Singapore, 192
  2. Japan and South Korea, 188
  3. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, 186
  4. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands and Norway, 185
  5. Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and United Arab Emirates, 184
  6. Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand and Poland, 183
  7. Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein and United Kingdom, 182
  8. Canada, Iceland and Lithuania, 181
  9. Malaysia, 180
  10. United States, 179 

Source: Henley Passport Index 

Making up the top 10 places this year are Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand and Poland, which all came sixth.

Passport holders from these countries can visit 183 spots visa-free.

Canada ranked eighth alongside Iceland and Lithuania, with access to 181 countries.

Meanwhile, Malaysia came ninth and boasts entry to 180 destinations. 

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