One might reasonably and understandably assume that all passports are created equal, which is to say that a passport from most any country will provide a consistent level of travel access across all corners of the globe. The laws governing international travel, however, are much more nuanced than you might otherwise assume. In truth, the country associated with a given passport can have a significant impact on the degree of travel freedom a passport holder can enjoy.
The following list, which was originally compiled by Arton Capital, highlights which countries offer travelers the most expansive travel options without requiring a visa for entry.
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Access to 147 countries
- U.K.
- United States
Access to 145 countries
- South Korea
- Germany
- France
Access to 144 countries
- Italy
- Sweden
Access to 143 countries
- Singapore
- Japan
- Finland
- Denmark
- Luxembourg
- Netherlands
Access to 142 countries
- Switzerland
- Canada
Access to 141 countries
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Belgium
- Portugal
- Norway
- Spain
As for which countries have the most restrictive passports, the least powerful passports are:
Access to 28 countries
- Myanmar
- Solomon Islands
- Palestinian Territories
- Sao Tome and Principe
- South Sudan
Access to 38 countries
- Iraq
- Afghanistan
- Nepal
- Ethiopia
- Djibouti
Access to 39 countries
- Somalia
- Eritrea
Access to 40 countries
- Burundi
- Haiti
- Bhutan
- Comoros
- Equatorial Guinea
