Passport Clout: Who’s Got it? Greece Does

Photo source: guidepassport.com

Greek passport holders have visa-free access to 171 countries, ranking the Greek travel document as one of the world’s most powerful, according to Henley & Partners’ Visa Restrictions Index, released recently.

For a third year in row, the Germans hold the strongest passports, allowing visa-free travel to 177 countries out of a possible 218. Sweden follows with 176, Finland, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom at 175, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands and the United States at 174, Austria, Japan, and Singapore at 173, Canada, Ireland, Korea (Republic of, South), Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal and Switzerland at 172, Greece and New Zealand at 171, Australia at 169, Malta at 168 and last, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Iceland at 167.

The index, currently in its 11th year and jointly produced with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranked 199 countries according to the travel freedom each offers its citizens out of a possible 218 countries since January 1.

“No country dropped more than three positions, indicating that overall, visa-free access is improving around the world,” Henley & Partners said in a statement.

In the meantime, Afghanistan is the nation with the most limited travel, ranked at 104 since 2010, with access to just 25 countries, followed by Pakistan, Somalia and Iraq.