Spain has emerged as the possessor of the world’s most powerful passport.
According to VisaGuide.World, Spain now surpasses Singapore, the former leader on the Henley Passport Index.
Spanish Triumph on the Global Stage
Spain’s triumph resonates far beyond the borders of Europe, marking its dominance in global travel accessibility. The VisaGuide.World index reveals that Japan is the only non-European contender in the top 20, emphasizing the stronghold of European nations in the passport power arena.
The leaderboard reads like a familiar European roll call, with Germany clinching the third position, trailed by Italy, France, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Czechia, Portugal, Hungary, and Luxembourg. Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Ireland, and Poland make up the remainder of the top 20.
What Did Spain Do Right?
The rankings, a collaborative effort between the quarterly Henley Passport Index and VisaGuide.World’s Passport Index, dissect the number of destinations accessible without a visa.
While Henley enjoys well-deserved recognition, VisaGuide.World adds a unique twist, incorporating – a ‘destination significance score’ for each travel destination.
The factors contributing to this score are diverse, encompassing the type of entry policy enforced by a country, from visa-free access to embassy-approved visas.
The scoring system takes into account a nation’s GDP, global influence, and tourism development.
As of December 2023, holders of the Spanish passport can spread their wings across 160 countries and territories without the hassle of a visa. While Singapore holds a numerical edge with access to 164 countries, Spain gains points for an exclusive perk – the ability to visit various destinations with just an ID card under the European Union.
Singapore’s passport offers visa-free access to 15 countries that Spain doesn’t, including Cambodia, Ghana, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Zimbabwe.
On the other hand, Spain boasts entry to 11 countries and territories visa-free that elude Singapore, such as the Falkland Islands, Palau, and Ukraine.
In a parallel revelation, Nigeria’s passport finds itself in the 191st position out of 199 in the December update of the World Passport Index, according to VisaGuide.
Culled in by Fortune Omosola
