The eight European countries with the strongest passports as UK missing from list
Europe's strongest passports have been revealed - granting visa-free access to many countries. However, the UK is missing from the list.
Europe’s strongest passports have been revealed - granting visa-free access to many countries. However, the UK is missing from the list.
(Image: Getty)Europe’s strongest and weakest passports have been revealed, based on the countries with the most extensive visa-free travel and easiest freedom of movement.
The Passport Index, invented and empowered by Arton Capital, is the world's original interactive passport ranking tool and the only real-time ranking system. Based on the passports of 199 countries and territories, data is based on official government information. The passports are sorted by their total Mobility Score (MS), which includes visa-free and visa on arrival privileges. The higher the MS score, the better global mobility the passport holder enjoys.
Collectively, Europe has arguably the highest concentration of powerful passports in the world, while central Africa and the Middle East fare the worst, according to Passport Index visualisations.
This year, four European Union countries rose to the top of the global list. The UK, however, earned a miserable 19th place, far behind Belgium, Ireland and Greece. 22 destinations require a visa prior to arrival.
Visa-free travel refers to the ability to travel to a foreign country without the need for a visa, with only a valid passport required for entry and exit purposes. Visa on arrival means that travellers must obtain a visa in order to enter the destination, but visitors do not need to apply for one beforehand. Meanwhile, visa required means that travellers must apply for a visa before travelling there.
With an MS score of 177, the beautiful mountainous country of Switzerland earned eighth place. It has a score of 130 for visa-free travel, 47 for visa on arrival and 21 for required visas.
The Swiss passport provides visa-free access to 192 countries, including the entire EU, the United States and Malaysia, while requiring visas in about 37 destinations, including India and Russia, according to VisaIndex.com.
(Image: Getty Images)
The country known for its picturesque mountains and lakes and its “city of music” capital Vienna, Austria earned seventh place with an overall MS score of 177 also. It received a score of 131 for visa-free travel, with 46 for visa on arrival and 21 for required visas.
Austrian passport holders have visa-free access to places including Argentina, Finland and Peru, while requiring visas for Ghana, Congo and Afghanistan.
(Image: Getty Images)
Luxembourg, the small rural country with dense Ardennes forest and natural parks, rocky gorges and river valleys, earned sixth place. It received a score of 133 for visa-free travel, 44 for visa on arrival and 21 for required visas, with an oversal MS score of 177.
Its passport provides visa-free access to 192 countries including the entire EU, Gambia, Jamaica and Japan, with visas on arrival required in Egypt and Bahrain among 28 other destinations.
(Image: Getty Images)
The Netherlands, famous for its flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, windmills and cycling routes, received an overall MS score of 177 as well. However, when broken down, it received a score of 133 for visa-free travel, 44 for visa on arrival and 21 for required visas.
The Dutch passport provides visa-free access to 192 countries, with visa-free and visa on arrival access to countries such as Brazil, Japan, Taiwan, the UAE, the US and the entire EU.
(Image: Getty Images)