Published on
October 17, 2025
Luxembourg joins Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain in leading Europe’s tourism and global mobility, securing a spot in the 2025 Henley Passport Index with 188 visa-free destinations. This remarkable position reflects the country’s strong diplomatic ties, economic influence, and its strategic role within the European Union, enabling its citizens to travel freely to a vast number of destinations worldwide. The consistency of Luxembourg’s ranking underscores the nation’s significant position within the European and global tourism landscape, marking it as a major player in international travel access.
In the 2025 Henley Passport Index, Luxembourg has once again proven its standing as one of the most influential passports in the world. For the fourth year in a row, Luxembourg joins Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain in the 4th position, each offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 destinations globally. This ranking highlights the strength of Luxembourg’s passport, reinforcing its place in Europe’s tourism and travel landscape.
Henley Passport Index: What is it?
The Henley Passport Index, compiled by Henley & Partners, is the definitive global ranking of passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Compiled using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the index is updated twice a year to reflect changing visa policies and global travel freedom.
The rankings give valuable insight into the global mobility of nations and their citizens, taking into account historical and political shifts, international relations, and bilateral agreements. The latest figures for 2025 reveal that Luxembourg shares its position with four other European countries — Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland — all holding an impressive rank among the world’s top passports.
Luxembourg’s Consistency in the Rankings
Luxembourg has held its place among the world’s top-ranking passports for several years. Specifically, the country has ranked 4th since 2023, having previously held the 3rd position in 2022 and 2021. Apart from 2016, when it ranked 6th, Luxembourg has consistently been a top contender, proving its resilience and consistent diplomatic and travel agreements globally.
Luxembourg’s strong standing is a testament to its effective foreign policy, ease of travel agreements, and its place within the European Union, which grants its citizens access to numerous visa-free destinations. This places Luxembourg at a distinct advantage when it comes to business, tourism, and global connectivity.
The Top-Ranking Countries in 2025
The rankings for the 2025 Henley Passport Index are dominated by several countries that have strategically forged strong diplomatic ties, opened up visa-free access agreements, and positioned themselves as key global players. Here’s a look at the top countries:
1st Rank: SingaporeVisa-Free Access: 193 destinationsSingapore continues to reign as the world’s most powerful passport in terms of visa-free access, offering its citizens the ability to travel to nearly every corner of the globe without restrictions.2nd Rank: South KoreaVisa-Free Access: 190 destinationsSouth Korea remains in second place, securing its position with significant travel freedom across Asia and beyond.3rd Rank: JapanVisa-Free Access: 189 destinationsJapan also retains its third-place position, with impressive global travel access for its citizens, particularly across the Pacific and Southeast Asia.4th Rank: Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Spain, SwitzerlandVisa-Free Access: 188 destinations eachThese five European countries share the fourth position, with Luxembourg leading the way in terms of diplomatic flexibility and ease of access across Europe and beyond.Luxembourg’s Position in Europe’s Travel Landscape
Luxembourg’s standing in the Henley Passport Index showcases the significant role it plays in Europe’s tourism and global travel access. While Luxembourg is often overshadowed by larger nations like Germany or France in terms of population and size, its passport is among the most powerful globally.
Luxembourg’s place among the top five countries is indicative of its strong diplomatic and trade relations within Europe and globally.Luxembourg’s passport provides its citizens with unrestricted access to key international markets, whether for business, leisure, or diplomatic purposes.
Moreover, Luxembourg’s tourism sector benefits from its visa-free access, with the ease of travel making it a popular destination for European tourists and business travelers alike. This passport power also plays a role in attracting international investments and business ventures, further strengthening Luxembourg’s position in the global economy.
The Influence of Other European Countries
Luxembourg’s place in the rankings is made even more notable by the presence of other European giants. Countries like Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain, which hold the same rank, represent the European tourism landscape’s influence. The ability for citizens from these nations to travel freely to 188 destinations makes Europe a top contender when it comes to international mobility.
Countries Tied for 4th Position in 2025 Henley Passport Index:CountryVisa-Free AccessLuxembourg188 destinationsGermany188 destinationsItaly188 destinationsSpain188 destinationsSwitzerland188 destinationsGermany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland each contribute significantly to Europe’s economic and tourism growth by ensuring that their citizens enjoy greater global mobility.This access directly impacts the European tourism industry, as these nations consistently rank among the top sources of inbound and outbound international travelers.The Declining Power of the U.S. Passport
An interesting shift in the 2025 Henley Passport Index is the decline of the U.S. passport. For the first time, the United States has fallen out of the top 10 rankings, a significant drop for a country that once held the title of having the most powerful passport globally.
In 2025, the U.S. passport now ranks 12th, offering visa-free access to only 180 destinations, a decline of 10 spots in just a few years.This shift reflects changes in global visa policies and travel regulations, making it more difficult for U.S. citizens to travel freely without facing additional visa requirements.
This change has further highlighted the dominance of Asian and European passports on the global stage, especially countries like Singapore, South Korea, and the European Union states.
The Rise of China’s Passport
While European countries have long dominated the Henley Passport Index, China has made significant strides in the last decade. In 2025, China now offers visa-free entry to citizens of 76 countries, climbing from 94th place to 64th position.
This improvement can be attributed to China’s expanding global influence, with more countries agreeing to visa-free arrangements with China as part of broader diplomatic agreements.The rise of China in global travel access reflects its growing economic and political presence on the world stage, particularly in Asia and Africa.The Future of Luxembourg and European Travel
Luxembourg’s place in the 2025 Henley Passport Index is likely to remain strong, given its stable political climate and continued diplomatic efforts to secure visa-free agreements. In the coming years, Luxembourg will continue to serve as a key player in European tourism, maintaining its robust global travel freedom while contributing to the growth of the European Union’s tourism sector.
Luxembourg’s role within the EU also adds value, as its citizens enjoy all the benefits of the Schengen Area, facilitating ease of travel across most of Europe.The country’s passport is seen as a gateway not only for business and tourism but also for educational and cultural exchanges, further enhancing its global footprint.
Luxembourg’s place among the top 5 passports globally, alongside Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland, underscores the country’s influence in the European tourism and global mobility space. With 188 visa-free destinations in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, Luxembourg continues to provide its citizens with unparalleled travel access, solidifying its reputation as a global leader in tourism mobility.
Luxembourg joins Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain in leading Europe’s tourism power, ranking 4th in the 2025 Henley Passport Index with 188 visa-free destinations. This strong position reflects Luxembourg’s diplomatic ties, global mobility, and its key role within the European Union.
As global travel continues to evolve, Luxembourg’s passport will remain a key asset for international travel, fostering economic growth and contributing to a thriving European tourism sector.
