Luxembourg passport ranked world’s fourth most powerful

Luxembourg nationals have the world’s fourth most powerful passport, according to the latest global ranking, with holders able to access 191 countries without a visa.

The Henley Passport Index ranks travel documents of different countries according to which offer the most visa-free access to other countries. The Index lists countries according to data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA).

Luxembourg has fallen one place, back down to fourth, after rising to third in the previous ranking published in July.

But the number of countries that Luxembourg nationals can access without a visa has remained unchanged since last January. The number has risen since July 2023, when the Luxembourg passport provided visa-free travel to 189 countries.

The Grand Duchy shares fourth place in the latest ranking with Austria, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.

Singapore retains the top spot in the Henley Passport Index, with visa-free travel to 195 countries. Japan is second with access to 193 countries and six countries – including Germany and France – share third place, with nationals able to travel to 192 countries without previously requiring a visa.

The United Kingdom passport ranks fifth, with access to 190 countries, while holders of a US passport can travel to 186 countries visa-free.

The Grand Duchy’s passport has featured in the global top four annually since 2017 and has never dropped lower than sixth since the list was first compiled in 2006.

Luxembourg has recognised dual nationality for over 15 years under a law which came into force in January 2009.

The rules for gaining nationality through naturalisation vary, but for most non-nationals requires at least five years of residency and will involve taking a language proficiency test and completing a citizenship course or test.