Top 10 Most Powerful Passports of 2021. Take a Look Where Your Passport Stands This Year

The Kingdom of Denmark consistently ranks among the top countries in the world in terms of quality of life and that quality of life also translates to travel. Danish passport holders are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to vacation planning. According to Henley and Partners, Denmark is tied for fifth place with an overall access score of 187, the passport index breaks it down into 99 visa-free destinations and 34 visa on arrival destinations.

On the Henley index, it does quite well for itself with an overall score of 190, that's almost as good as it gets. As passportindex.com reveals a Singaporean passport gives you access to 87 visa-free destinations. Travelers hailing from the island city-state still have dozens of additional travel destinations that they can visit with relative ease but they'll need to secure a visa on arrival, visitors permit or an electronic travel authority.

Austria scores 187 access points on the Henley index. The passport index identifies an impressive 94 countries that Austrian passport holders can visit without needing to secure a visa, on top of that there are another 36 countries that they can visit with a visa on arrival plus 4 more that simply require pre-enrolment. In short when Austrians decide to venture beyond their borders they've got options.

Sweden beats Austria by taking one of those visa on arrival destinations and makes it visa-free, giving their passport holders a total of 95 hassle-free international travel options. Over on the Henley passport index, Sweden has an overall access score of 186 and remains tied in sixth place alongside a number of other countries. Well, Swedish travelers are quite obsessed with Spain, the coast in particular. Other popular and easy to visit destinations include Italy, Denmark, UK and Greece.

Finland beats Sweden by two points on the passport index, for a score of 135. Over on the Henley index, the Finnish passport scores a rock-solid 188 points to tie for fourth place. Finland distinguishes itself from the pack by having superior diplomatic ties with countries like Pakistan and the Russian federation. In terms of where the Finnish people like to visit, Sweden is the most popular destination, in close second however is Estonia followed by Spain, Germany and Russia.

Italian passport holders have the ability to enter an enviable 98 destinations without thinking about visas, they've then got another 36 destinations that require a simple visa on arrival. On the Henley index this works out to an access score of 188. In terms of how they use this power, Italians seem overwhelmingly obsessed with Spain but they also appear to be quite interested in the Nordic countries. Italian survey respondents single out Norway and Finland as being particularly appealing lucky for them.

On the Henley index, it's admittedly a bit lower with a score of 185 and it doesn't have quite as many visa-free destinations to its name as the countries on Top 3. That being said, it more than makes up the difference with 40 visa on arrival destinations from Albania and Andorra to Vanuatu. Swiss passport holders can fly in and be welcomed with open arms, no visa required. With a visa on arrival they can just as easily spend a few weeks or months in Zambia, Zimbabwe or Tanzania. The Swiss passport can really take you places.

3. Spain

On passportindex.org, Spain is right at the top tied with numerous others in this unusual year. Spanish passport holders have their pick of 98 visa-free destinations plus another 37 visa on arrival options. Over at Henley and partners, it boasts an access score of 188. Spanish travelers who need a break can easily escape a number of Nordic countries like Finland or find a sunny getaway of their own in Greece, a trip to Southeast asia....no problem, they've got 30 days in Thailand visa-free

2. Japan

Japan has had quite the journey in terms of its passport ranking. Back in 2018, Japan was on second place, the next year it had slipped down to fifth as other nations added to the power of their passport. As of now, Japan has maintained its spot in second place for a second year running on the Henley index. It once again claims the top spot with a score of 191 on the passport index. The country continues to be held back by its lower than average list of visa-free destinations which tops out at 89, with 40 visa on arrival options.

1. Germany

In 2020, Germany wasn't even on Top 3, it was in fourth place and has bounced around between third and fourth the last few years. In 2021 however, Germany finally gets the crown. Henley and Partners have it tied in third place with an access score of 189, add to that a count of 99 visa-free destinations according to passportindex.org. however, and you get a clear winner. This year there is simply no passport more powerful than the one held by German citizens. And really that's not the least bit surprising. In recent years, Germany has consistently and repeatedly distinguished itself as being open, accommodating, committed to global initiatives and supportive of other countries in need. It's international approval rating is through the roof. As such it only makes sense that German travelers are welcomed around the globe.

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