by croatiaweek
July 22, 2025
in
The updated Henley Passport Index for 2025 has been released, revealing the most powerful passports in the world based on visa-free access.
Singapore holds the number one spot for the second year running, with its citizens enjoying visa-free access to 193 destinations. Japan and South Korea share second place with 190 destinations.
In third place are seven European Union countries – Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Spain – each allowing access to 189 destinations without a visa.
Fourth place is occupied by Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden with 188 destinations. Greece, Switzerland and New Zealand round off the top five.
Croatia’s Best Ranking Yet
Croatia has continued its steady rise, now ranking ninth in the world. Croatian passport holders can travel visa-free to 183 destinations.
This is a notable improvement from last year’s 11th place and a significant jump from 18th in 2023 and 17th in 2022, when access was limited to 174 and 173 destinations respectively.
Croatia shares the ninth position with Slovenia. Neighbouring Hungary ranks higher at seventh, while Italy stands firmly in third place.
Among other regional countries, Serbia ranks 34th, Montenegro 40th, and Bosnia and Herzegovina 42nd.
A total of 28 European countries feature in the global top ten, thanks largely to access to the Schengen Area and strong diplomatic relationships.
Some countries that once led the rankings have continued to slide. The United Kingdom, which topped the index in 2015, has dropped to sixth place in 2025, offering visa-free access to 186 destinations.
The United States, once first in 2014, now ranks tenth with access to 182 destinations – its lowest position in the index’s 20-year history.
“Access is earned – and must be maintained,” said Dr Christian Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners.
The index uses exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and ranks passports according to how many destinations their holders can enter without a visa.