World’s Most Powerful Passports for 2025: Czechia in the Top Five

The Czech Republic boasts one of the world’s strongest passports, ranking fifth in the 2024 Global Passport Index.

Arton Capital’s annual index evaluates the freedom of travel offered by passports, highlighting both practical and symbolic measures of global mobility.

The Value of a Strong Passport

A strong passport represents freedom and opportunity, enabling holders to travel to most countries without the need for visas. In contrast, weaker passports reflect limited travel options and significant barriers. The Global Passport Index examines travel freedom and considers geopolitical, economic, and social factors.

Czech citizens can travel visa-free to 126 countries, obtain visas on arrival in 50, and need advance visas for only 22 destinations. This positions the Czech passport alongside Croatia and Estonia, ahead of countries like Slovenia, Liechtenstein, Japan, and Canada.

Top Performers and Shifting Trends

For the fourth consecutive year, the United Arab Emirates leads the rankings, granting its citizens visa-free access to 133 countries. This achievement stems from proactive diplomacy and rapid economic modernization.

European nations dominate the top 20, with Spain securing second place and Germany tied with Finland and France for third. However, the United Kingdom and the United States have both experienced significant declines.

The UK passport’s power has dropped due to Brexit, strained EU relations, and changes to its immigration system.

The U.S. passport remains strong but lags behind other major economies. American citizens enjoy visa-free access to 123 countries and visa-on-arrival privileges in 50.

Weakest Passports in the World

Syria ranks at the bottom, overtaking Afghanistan for the weakest passport. Syrian passport holders can travel visa-free to just nine countries, while requiring prior visas for 158 destinations. Iraq, Somalia, Pakistan, and Yemen also face significant travel restrictions.

Even North Korea, the world’s most closed-off nation, ranks higher at 89th place.

Despite its isolation, North Korean passport holders have access to a handful of friendly countries like Cuba, Laos, and Mongolia.

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