How powerful is your passport? New 2025 rankings reveal Europe's winners and losers
The Henley Passport Index, which uses exclusive data sourced from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to rank the world's passports by how many destinations they allow visa-free access to, has just released its 2025 update. European countries once again dominate the top tier.
Singapore claimed the top spot for the second year in a row, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations. Japan and South Korea follow in joint second with 190 destinations. After that, it's a litany of European countries.
Seven EU nations – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain – now share third place globally, with visa-free access to 189 destinations. Close behind are Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden, all ranked fourth with access to 188 destinations.
Greece, Switzerland and New Zealand round out the top five.
Two European countries lag behind the leaders
In total, 28 European countries appear in the global top 10, buoyed by Schengen Area access and strong diplomatic relationships.
But Europe's strength is not uniform. Belarus ranks lowest on the continent at 62nd, just behind Kosovo at 61st. Offering visa-free access to 81 and 82 destinations, respectively, both fall well below the global average of 109.
Related
Slovenia is launching a digital nomad visa. Here's who is eligible and how to apply
Romania and Bulgaria will be in the Schengen zone from January. What will change for travellers?
While Kosovo has made limited diplomatic progress in recent years, both remain largely excluded from wider visa liberalisation efforts, especially in Western countries.
The UK and US keep losing ground
Some of the biggest shifts in the rankings involve Western countries that were former leaders.
The UK, which topped the index in 2015, has dropped another place to sixth, with visa-free access to 186 destinations. The US, which ranked first in 2014, is now 10th, with access to 182 destinations – its lowest-ever position in the index's 20-year history.
Henley & Partners, the Chicago-based citizenship by investment consultancy behind the rankings, attributes the decline to increasingly restrictive entry policies in both countries. In contrast, countries such as the United Arab Emirates (now 8th), Saudi Arabia (54th) and China (60th) are rising fast by expanding visa-waiver agreements and easing entry requirements.
'Access is earned - and must be maintained,' said Christian Kaelin, the Switzerland-born chairman of Henley & Partners.
'Those that invest in diplomatic relationships tend to rise.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
4 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Fixlaa Launches in Singapore as a One-Stop Platform for Trusted Home Services
Fixlaa enters Singapore's home services market with a platform that connects homeowners to vetted technicians for aircon servicing, plumbing, electrical repairs, and more—all backed by a 90-day service guarantee. Singapore, July 23, 2025 -- Homeowners in Singapore can now book trusted home services with greater confidence, thanks to the official launch of Fixlaa, a new all-in-one platform that simplifies how people find and hire reliable service professionals. From air conditioning maintenance to plumbing emergencies and electrical repairs, Fixlaa connects users with verified technicians, all backed by a transparent pricing model and a 90-day service guarantee. The platform aims to raise the bar for home maintenance standards in Singapore, where trust, responsiveness, and professionalism are often top concerns for homeowners. 'Most people dread calling a handyman. We built Fixlaa so they no longer have to,' said a spokesperson for Maxims Technologies, the company behind the platform. 'By verifying every technician and supporting all work with a 90-day guarantee, we're making home repairs less stressful and a lot more dependable.' Users can browse services such as Fixlaa home services in Singapore, check availability, and book appointments directly online. The platform features fast response times, clear service categories, and dedicated specialists for aircon servicing, plumbing, electrical, and painting jobs. One of Fixlaa's standout features is its rigorous technician vetting process. Every service provider is screened for skill and customer service, helping ensure consistently high-quality workmanship. In addition, homeowners are protected with a service guarantee that covers any issues that may arise within 90 days of the appointment. Whether it's a leaking tap or a faulty aircon unit, Fixlaa's aircon servicing experts and home repair technicians offer island-wide coverage and next-day availability. Call to Action: Fixlaa is now live and accepting bookings across Singapore. Visit to explore services, view pricing, and schedule your first appointment. About Maxims Technologies Fixlaa is operated by Maxims Technologies (UEN 200302596N), a Singapore-based company dedicated to making home services simple, safe, and stress-free. Branded as Singapore's one-stop 'fix-it-lah' crew, Fixlaa serves homeowners seeking reliable help for everyday maintenance and urgent repairs—backed by strong customer support and a satisfaction guarantee. Contact Info: Name: Ruthsan Email: Send Email Organization: Maxims Technologies Address: #10-04, 320 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 218108 Phone: +65 9727 5537 Website: Release ID: 89165385 In case of identifying any errors, concerns, or inconsistencies within the content shared in this press release that necessitate action or if you require assistance with a press release takedown, we strongly urge you to notify us promptly by contacting [email protected] (it is important to note that this email is the authorized channel for such matters, sending multiple emails to multiple addresses does not necessarily help expedite your request). Our expert team is committed to addressing your concerns within 8 hours by taking necessary actions diligently to rectify any identified issues or supporting you with the removal process. Delivering accurate and reliable information remains our top priority.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Obagi, Milk Makeup Owner Waldencast Enters Filler Market With New Acquisition
Obagi injectables are in the works. Waldencast, the parent company of Milk Makeup and Obagi Medical skin care, has acquired Novaestiq Corp., an aesthetic and medical dermatological innovations company, as well as the U.S. rights to the Saypha line of hyaluronic acid injectable gels. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. More from WWD Polite Society Achieves in Two Years What Took Too Faced a Decade Ariana Grande's R.e.m. Beauty Hires CEO Lux Pascal, Vanessa Kirby and Xochitl Gomez Lead '60s-inspired Beauty Trend at 'The Fantastic Four: First Steps' Premiere The acquisition will sit under the Obagi brand, which will expand its offerings beyond skin care into the U.S. dermal filler market. 'We are excited to further diversify Obagi Medical's portfolio of medical-grade skin care with consumer centric, in-office injectable procedures,' said Michel Brousset, cofounder and chief executive officer of Waldencast. 'Adding proven products into our portfolio increases our addressable market and allows us to deliver solutions for professionals and patients seeking both skin care and aesthetic treatments, all under the trusted Obagi Medical brand.' Saypha, a product of Croma-Pharma GmbH, is developed and manufactured in Austria and marketed in more than 80 countries, but not yet available in the U.S. It is currently undergoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval. According to Waldencast, Saypha's proprietary technology delivers advanced HA treatments through a stable 3D matrix designed to provide natural-looking results with optimally balanced gel characteristics. 'We believe that great results start with great skin care and are perfected with great after care,' said Dr. Suzan Obagi, chief medical director at Obagi Medical. 'By combining Obagi Medical skin care with injectable procedures under the guidance of a qualified professional, patients can achieve more significant, longer-lasting and natural-looking results. This acquisition also allows our professionals to offer patients more personalized, higher quality and safer products that their customers are looking for.' On putting it under the Obagi brand as opposed to running it as a standalone entity, Brousset said: 'The Obagi brand is actually a big part of what is going to boost the performance of this business. Our vision is to create Obagi as a mega brand in the world of beauty aesthetics, and have Obagi as the big platform to market [aesthetics] through the trust that physicians have on Obagi and through the trust that consumers have on our existing infrastructure system business model.' Brousset is open to more M&A opportunities, especially in the aesthetics space. 'This is our first step into aesthetics. We expect to have more steps in the future.' Best of WWD Sesame Oil Skin Care: The Secret to Hydrated Skin or a Recipe for Clogged Pores? How Grooming Is Introducing Men to Self-care and Redefining Masculinity Clean Beauty Brand Ignae Makes Big U.S. Push With a New Look Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
JPMorgan Warns of Stocks Complacency as Earnings Outlook Dims
(Bloomberg) -- Signs of stock-market complacency are emerging as the searing equities rally coincides with an acceleration in earnings downgrades, according to JPMorgan Chase & Co. quantitative strategists. Trump Awards $1.26 Billion Contract to Build Biggest Immigrant Detention Center in US Why the Federal Reserve's Building Renovation Costs $2.5 Billion Salt Lake City Turns Winter Olympic Bid Into Statewide Bond Boom Milan Corruption Probe Casts Shadow Over Property Boom How San Jose's Mayor Is Working to Build an AI Capital Stocks have bounced back from April's slump at an even faster pace than after the Covid pandemic, sending the MSCI World Index and many regional benchmarks to record highs. At the same time, consensus data shows downgrades outpacing upgrades sharply in global earnings revisions, the JPMorgan team led by Khuram Chaudhry said. 'There appears to be an environment of bullish sentiment, speculation, and a growing air of complacency,' they wrote. 'Either sell-side analysts are about to start a new round of upward revisions or the market is at risk of suffering a period of increased volatility and draw-downs. Something has to give!' Net revisions for global earnings have slid 14.3% on a one-month basis and 18.7% over three months. For now, the US shows fewer cuts, thanks to strength in sectors like technology, they said, while regions like Asia and Europe face accelerating earnings-per share downgrades. Guidance in Europe has been weak, given the uncertainty around tariffs, with a slew of profit warnings, especially in the chemical sector. In the US, expectations are high for the Big Tech names after a 35% surge in the Nasdaq 100 since its April low. Cracks could still emerge in the second half, the analysts said. 'The US market is thriving on sectors like Technology and the 'Magnificent 7' stocks, fueled by the Generative AI trend,' they wrote. 'Yet cracks and volatility are increasingly likely in the second half. Investors should be on the lookout for a potential market rotation!' UK Profit Warnings Citing Geopolitics Hit a Record High, EY Says For those expecting looser monetary policy to boost the market, the three to four cuts priced in over the coming 12 months shouldn't be taken as a positive, Chaudhry and his team said. 'Any forthcoming interest rate cuts may signal underlying weakness, rather than a build up in positive sentiment.' Elon Musk's Empire Is Creaking Under the Strain of Elon Musk Burning Man Is Burning Through Cash A Rebel Army Is Building a Rare-Earth Empire on China's Border Thailand's Changing Cannabis Rules Leave Farmers in a Tough Spot How Starbucks' CEO Plans to Tame the Rush-Hour Free-for-All ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.
