Dutch passport rises in ranking, once again fourth-best in the world

The latest quarterly update of the Henley Passport Index sees the Dutch passport rise to once again be ranked the fourth-best in the world. 

2023 Q3 Henley Passport Index

Every year, the Henley Passport Index evaluates 199 passports and 227 travel destinations across the world in order to determine which nationalities are offered the highest level of global mobility. While the official ranking is published every January, the index is updated on a quarterly basis. 

Passports are awarded one point for every country they can travel to without requiring a visa, or if the traveller can obtain a visa, a visitor's permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA) upon arriving at their destination. On the other hand, for every destination where a visa or pre-departure government approval is required, the passport receives zero points.

Interestingly, this edition of the ranking sees Singapore rise to claim the top spot, with Japan falling from first place into joint third. Italy, Spain and Germany also see their positions improve, with all three rising into joint second position.

The Netherlands scores highly in global mobility ranking

In January, the Netherlands saw its position slip slightly, with the Dutch passport falling from joint-fourth place to joint-fifth place. Six months on, however, the third quarter update of the 2023 Henley Passport Index see the Netherlands reclaim its fourth-place position. 

While the country’s ranking has improved, the total number of points awarded to the Dutch passport remains unchanged; with 188 points, the Netherlands matches its score not only from January but also from 2022 and 2021. 

This score means Dutch citizens can travel to 188 countries around the world without having to apply for a visa before departure. The country shares its fourth-place position with Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Afghanistan once again claims the bottom spot in the ranking

The best and worst passports in 2023

According to the latest edition of the Henley Passport Index, the best passports in the world are:

1. Singapore (192)
2. Germany, Italy, Spain (190)
3. Austria, Finland, France, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea, Sweden (189)
4. The Netherlands, Ireland, Denmark, United Kingdom (188)
5. Belgium, Czechia, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland (187)
6. Australia, Hungary, Poland (186)
7. Canada, Greece (185)
8. Lithuania, United States (184)
9. Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (183)
10. Estonia, Iceland (180)

Meanwhile, occupying the bottom spots in this year’s ranking are: 

1. Afghanistan (27)
2. Iraq (29)
3. Syria (30)
4. Pakistan (33)
5. Yemen, Somalia (35)
6. Palestinian Territory, Nepal (38)
7. North Korea (39)
8. Bangladesh (40)
9. Libya, Sri Lanka (41)
10. Kosovo (42)

To find out more about the ranking’s methodology, or to read the full report, visit the Henley & Partners website.

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