Concept
A passport opens different numbers of borders, and this difference has long been measured. A "passport index" is a ranking that assigns each passport a number of destinations accessible without a prior visa and arranges countries in descending order. Behind the seemingly simple figure lie different methodologies, so the same passport often occupies three different positions in three rankings.
For a private client, the index serves as a quick reference point: it shows how much freedom of movement a particular citizenship provides and how much a new passport expands an existing set. Let's examine the three main rankings and what each actually measures.
Henley Passport Index
The most cited ranking is maintained by Henley & Partners. It relies on IATA data—the Timatic database that airlines use to verify visa requirements before boarding. Henley ranks 199 passports across 227 destinations and is updated monthly. The counting logic is strict: a destination counts if entry is visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or electronic authorization without prior approval; if a regular visa or e-Visa with prior clearance is required, it scores zero.
In 2026, Singapore holds the top position: its holders have access to approximately 190 destinations out of 227. Japan, South Korea and the UAE follow, while the EU core—Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands and others—remains in the top five. US and UK passports have noticeably slipped over the past decade, which has become a separate storyline in the business press.
💡 Henley measures one specific property—the number of destinations without a prior visa. The metric is convenient and comparable, but it says nothing about taxes, passport reputation, or the right to live and work abroad.
Arton Capital Passport Index
The second well-known ranking is maintained by Arton Capital. Its Mobility Score comprises visa-free, visa-on-arrival, ETA and fast e-Visa access, and when scores are equal, countries are further differentiated by the UN Human Development Index. The ranking updates in real time, so the top positions at Arton and Henley often diverge: Arton frequently places the UAE in first place.
Nomad Passport Index
The Nomad Passport Index from Nomad Capitalist evaluates passports on five factors: visa-free access, taxation of citizens, global perception of the passport, dual citizenship permissibility, and personal freedoms. Due to the weight of taxes and reputation, the picture shifts, and Ireland and Switzerland appear in the top positions rather than pure mobility leaders. This approach is closer to the five flags logic, as it also accounts for the cost of holding a passport—from taxes to reputation.
How to Use Indexes in Practice
🔗 Related
Second Passport and Plan B · Citizenship by Investment · Global Residence Program · Greece Golden Visa · Portugal Golden Visa · Tax Residency
The three rankings answer three different questions, so comparing absolute positions between them is pointless. Henley shows pure visa mobility, Arton adds destination country quality through HDI, Nomad weighs taxes and freedoms. For second passport planning, it's more useful to look at marginal gain: how many new destinations and which ones specifically a new passport adds on top of what you already have. Often the main value of a strong EU passport is the right to live and work in the Union, and mobility indexes don't reflect this at all, while the pure gain in destinations may be modest.
🍓 A passport index is a convenient starting point. The final decision on second citizenship rests on taxes, residence rights and status stability; the number of open borders is just one factor.
This material is expert-analytical in nature and does not constitute individual legal or tax advice.
Key factual claims
- In 2026, Singapore holds the top position: its holders have access to approximately 190 destinations out of 227.