German passport ranks as the world’s third most powerful according to the Henley Passport Index

German passport ranks as the world’s third most powerful according to the Henley Passport Index

 

The recently released Henley Passport Index 2025 has once again highlighted the strength of the German passport, placing it as the third most powerful in the world. German citizens can now travel visa-free to 189 destinations, sharing this prestigious position with Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, and Spain.

Understanding the Henley Passport Index
Published annually by the international law firm Henley & Partners, the Henley Passport Index is a widely recognized ranking of global passport strength. The index is built using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and considers 199 different passports and 227 travel destinations worldwide.

Passports earn points for every country and territory their holders can enter without requiring a visa, including destinations where access is possible with a visa on arrival, an electronic travel authorization (ETA), or a simple visitor permit. Destinations that require travelers to obtain a pre-arranged visa or pre-departure government approval do not add any points.

Highlights from the 2025 ranking
According to the index released in July 2025, Singapore holds the title of the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 193 countries. Following closely are Japan and South Korea in joint second place, each providing access to 190 countries.

Germany, after briefly holding the top spot earlier, continues to hold a strong position at third place. This reflects the consistent global mobility that German passport holders enjoy, despite occasional fluctuations over the years. Since the launch of the index in 2006, the German passport has typically ranked between first and third place, except for 2011 when it briefly dropped to fifth.

Top passports in 2025 (by number of visa-free destinations):

  • Singapore (193)

  • Japan, South Korea (190)

  • Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain (189)

  • Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden (188)

  • Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland (187)

  • United Kingdom (186)

  • Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland (185)

  • Canada, Estonia, United Arab Emirates (184)

  • Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (183)

  • Iceland, Lithuania, United States (182)

For travelers and professionals considering global mobility or new opportunities abroad, passport strength plays a vital role in shaping travel plans and career prospects. The Think Europe Services team continues to track these developments closely to help clients navigate visa options, work permits, and residence solutions across Europe.

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