World's most powerful passport revealed - as UK drops even further down the rankings
The travel document that gives passengers the most hassle-free international trip according to Henley Passport Index is Singapore 's passport.
With visa-free access to a whopping 193 countries across the world, the little red identity document placed at the top.
The Henley Passport Index analyses data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and looks at 199 different passports and 227 destinations.
Japan and South Korea followed closely in second place, with the travel documents offering easy access to 190 different places.
While Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain placed joint third.
All of the seven countries' passports allow travellers to visit 189 destinations.
Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden came fourth, jointly, with access to 188 different places.
In fifth, Greece, New Zealand and Switzerland passports all offer access to 187 destinations.
However, the United Kingdom's blue travel document placed sixth, with easy visiting rights to 186 countries.
Though it may seem high, the passport ranked as the most powerful between 2013 to 2015.
But since Brexit, the UK's document has continued to fall down the list.
Following the UK, Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta and Poland all place seventh, with visa-free access to 185 countries.
Canada, Estonia and United Arab Emirates ranked eighth, giving easy visits to 184 destinations.
While Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia all placed ninth. Passports from those countries have access to 183 places.
In tenth place, Iceland, Lithuania and the United States drew with 182 countries.
Out of the 199 passports analysed, Afghanistan placed last, with the passport offering visa-free access to just 25 countries.
Visa-free travel passport rankings
Singapore, 193 destinations
Japan and South Korea, 190 destinations
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain, 189 destinations
Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden, 188 destinations
Greece, New Zealand and Switzerland, 187 destinations
United Kingdom, 186 destinations
Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta and Poland, 185 destinations
Canada, Estonia, United Arab Emirates, 184 destinations
Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia, 183 destinations
Iceland, Lithuania and United States, 182 destinations
It comes as Chris Harrington, managing director at transfer company Hoppa, warned those going away this summer to check their passports.
The travel expert emphasised the importance of making sure your passport isn't too damaged.
He explained: 'If your passport is damaged to the extent that it impacts its ability to function or verify who you are, this can lead to it being declared invalid.'
Chris advises checking the condition of your passport after booking a trip to avoid problems.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
10 minutes ago
- The Independent
Three train operators given go ahead to run extra East Coast services
Three East Coast Main Line train operators have been granted permission to run additional services from December. Regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it approved some proposals from open access operators Lumo, Grand Central and Hull Trains to enhance their timetables. It rejected some proposed services, citing concerns over insufficient capacity, the potential impact on performance, and the effect on the Government's revenue. The approvals include Lumo extending some of its existing London King's Cross-Edinburgh services to Glasgow, and additional services between London King's Cross and Newcastle. Hull Trains will run an additional train from London King's Cross to Hull on weekdays and Saturdays, while Grand Central will increase its regional operation, including a new link to Seaham on the County Durham coast. Among the rejected proposals was a plan from Hull Trains for new services between London King's Cross and Sheffield. Stephanie Tobyn, ORR's director of strategy, policy and reform, said: 'Approving these additional open access services will increase connectivity on the East Coast Main Line. 'Importantly, we have ensured the approval of these services can be accommodated alongside the major service uplifts by other operators, which have been planned into the December 2025 timetable, so together passengers and freight customers can benefit from more direct connections and greater choice from December.' Open access operators set their own fares, take on all revenue risk and receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies. They are excluded from the Government's ongoing nationalisation of Britain's train services. In January, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander wrote to the ORR expressing concerns that the open access model can cause 'potential congestion' and result in taxpayers being 'left to fill shortfalls' in maintenance costs. She stated that she expects 'the impacts on the taxpayer and on overall performance' to be 'given primacy' by the regulator when it analyses open access proposals. Government-owned LNER, which runs services on the East Coast Main Line, is planning a major timetable change in December, with up to 37 daily services and quicker journeys between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. It has previously described the overhaul as 'transformational' and 'the biggest change in a generation'.
Scottish Sun
10 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Donald Trump to make a final stop in Scotland today before Air Force One departs
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DONALD Trump will today make his final stop in Scotland before Air Force One departs. Last night he flew from Turnberry to the North East and hosted a private dinner with dignitaries including the Prime Minister, First Minister, and high profile businesspeople. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Sign up 3 Trump flew from Turnberry to the North East for a private dinner Credit: PA 3 Mr Trump is understood to be set to meet John Swinney this morning Credit: EPA 3 Mr Trump hosted an 80-minute televised press conference with Sir Keir Credit: Reuters Mr Trump and Sir Keir landed at Menie aboard Marine One, the president's helicopter, which was seen circling the new course before it touched down on Monday evening. And Mr Trump is understood to be set to meet John Swinney this morning - before flying home at around 4pm. It will be the first time the President and Mr Swinney have met since they clashed in November last year when the SNP leader called on US voters to back his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in the US Presidential election - leading his UK-based business to slam the endorsement as an 'insult'. The President will open the 'new course' at Trump International in Menie, just north of Aberdeen, at a 'grand opening' ceremony from 10am. Trump International's 'new course' is the second at the venue since the newly named 'old course' opened in 2012. The new 18 holes measures 7,589 yards - with Trump International now self-styled as the 'greatest 36 holes in golf'. Mr Trump will make a short speech on the first tee of the course before playing a round. He will speak in front of gathered press and select VIPs before formally opening the new course. The President's son, Eric Trump, led the design process, with the course including the world's largest natural bunker, 'mountainous dune formations' and so-called 'infinity-style greens'. The course states: 'The New Course incorporates a variety of natural Scottish landscapes, including some of the country's largest sand dunes, heathlands and wetland areas. 'The New Course is the result of a design process led by Eric Trump, supported by a team of experienced golf architects, engineers, agronomists, and environmental consultants. 'The project builds on the original links masterplan developed by renowned golf architect Dr Martin Hawtree.' Awkward moment Trump blasts 'nasty' Sadiq Khan for 'terrible job'… before Starmer interrupts: 'He's a friend of mine!' On Monday, Mr Trump hosted an 80-minute televised press conference with the Prime Minister after meeting with Sir Keir Starmer at his other golf course at Turnberry, Ayrshire. In it, he blasted wind power - slamming wind turbines as 'ugly monsters' - and urged more drilling in the North Sea. And he poured cold water on the possibility of a second independence referendum within the next '50 or 75 years'. Mr Trump also called on the Prime Minister to cut taxes and crack down on illegal immigration to beat the challenge of Reform UK's leader Nigel Farage. He also spoke of his love for Scotland due to his late mother's birthplace being in the Isle of Lewis and said: 'My mother loved Scotland. This is a part of the world I want to see thrive.' The second course at Trump International is expected to be dedicated to the president's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis. Critics say the Trump developments in Scotland have not delivered as many jobs as promised and work at the Menie site has caused environmental damage.
Daily Mail
10 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Final preparations for the Lionesses' open-top bus parade along The Mall as thousands of fans set to celebrate historic Euro 2025 victory
Final preparations are underway for the Lionesses' homecoming victory parade in London after being crowned European champions. The squad will board an open-top bus and cruise down The Mall at 12.10pm today before a ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace. Thousands are expected to turn out to celebrate the win against Spain in Sunday's nail-biting Euro 2025 final. The ceremony at the end of the Mall will be hosted by former England star Alex Scott. A stage was being put up by workers early this morning ahead of the event and comes after the team flew back from Switzerland yesterday. After stopping by Downing Street for a reception with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner - with the PM on business with Trump in Scotland - the team swapped their formal suits for gladrags and headed into Soho for a celebratory night out. Sunday's win on penalties came after a nail-biting 120 minutes - and saw the team triumph 3-1 at the bitter end, with Chloe Kelly converting the decisive spot-kick against Cata Coll. It became the most-watched TV moment of the year and the second most-watched women's football match in British broadcasting history, peaking at more than 16 million people tuning in at once. Viewer counts were only narrowly behind the last European final against Germany in 2022, when over 17 million watched England storm to a 2-1 victory. And the win was sweet revenge for the 2023 World Cup final, which saw Spain win 1-0 after picking up an early lead and parrying England's agonised comeback attempts. The Lionesses then partied until 4am after bringing the trophy home to their hotel in Switzerland - before flying to London Southend Airport where they were greeted by hundreds of fans. The players were congratulated by Ms Rayner during a special reception at Downing Street on Monday, with the windows draped in St Georges flags and celebratory bunting hung in the street. She told the team: 'You've made us all so so proud. Role models like you send such a powerful message, the Lionesses are a shining example of talent and excitement for women's football.' Some of the team also took part in a surprise video call from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who was unable to attend in person due to talks with US President Donald Trump in Scotland.
