The Spanish Passport Is Now the World’s Most Powerful to Have
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- The Spanish passport is currently the most powerful passport in the world.
- Only nine out of the first 40 positions in the Passport power index are occupied by non-EU/Schengen passports.
- The Italian passport is not the third best European passport to have, while back in February it was ranked as the very best.
The Spanish passport is now the best to have out of 199 world passports, the most recent update of the VisaGuide.World Passport Index on December 1, has revealed.
With passport-free access to 43 countries, and another 106 allowing visa-free entry for Spanish nationals, the Spanish passport has unmatched power for avid travellers and passionate explorers.
In addition, a Spanish passport grants its holders entry with a travel authorization (eTA) to 11 countries, with a visa on arrival to 30 countries, and to another 18 countries with an online visa.
A traditional visa is required for Spanish nationals for travel to only 18 countries, out of around 200.
VisaGuide.World
Second in this list is Singapore, followed by Germany listed third, Italy fourth, and France fifth.
Commenting on the new ranking of passports, Dion Pllana, Global Travel Trends Analyst, says that European passports, in particular those of EU and Schengen Area Member States are all listed at the top of the table.
The power of EU and Schengen passports is undeniable and unmatched. In the first 40 positions of the index, only nine passports are non-EU/Schengen.
Dion Pllana, Global Travel Trends Analyst
The non-EU/Schengen countries listed in the 40 first positions of the index and their positions are as follows:
- Singapore – 2nd
- Japan – 15th
- South Korea – 27th
- United Kingdom – 28th
- New Zealand – 29th
- Australia – 34th
- Canada – 38th
- United Arab Emirates – 39th
- United States – 40th
According to VisaGuide.World, their passport index is the most accurate existing index of passport power, as its strength evaluation is not only based on the number of countries allowing visa-free entry but on a carefully built formula that takes more factors into consideration.
The index assigns different values to travel with a visa, e-visa, visa-on-arrival, passport-free and visa-free while also taking into account the value of the destination, which makes it possible for every passport to have its unique score.
It is also updated at the beginning of every month, with the most recent changes of visa and travel policies worldwide.
Back in February this year, when the index was first released, the Italian passport was the most powerful European passport, and the world’s third, just behind those of Singapore and Japan.
At the time, Italian nationals could travel passport-free to 45 countries, visa-free to a total of 100 world countries, with an online travel authorisation to 11, to eight with an e-visa, and 35 with a visa on arrival. A traditional visa was required to visit another 28.
Currently, the Italian passport is listed the world’s fourth most powerful with visa-free entry to 107 countries, ten with an eTA, 29 with a visa on arrival, 19 with an e-visa, and 18 with a traditional visa. Passport-free entry is possible for Italian nationals to 44 world countries.