Portuguese American Journal

Travel: Portuguese passport ranks 5th most powerful in the world – London, UK

The Portuguese passport ranked as the 5th most powerful in the world, according to the latest release by the Henley Passport Index (HPI), allowing visa-free access to over 190 destinations worldwide without needing a tourist visa. The ranking was shared with Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, and the United Kingdom.

Last year, the London-based HPI ranked the Portuguese passport 4th, among the most powerful in the world.

This makes Portugal’s passport one of the most sought-after passports, not just for travel convenience but also for its association with European Union (EU) citizenship, which allows free movement and residence in all 27 EU countries and access to various rights and benefits within the EU. The strong ranking reflects Portugal’s robust international relations and membership in global organizations like the EU, Schengen Zone, and NATO.

Non-citizens seeking a Portuguese passport must first acquire Portuguese citizenship and reside in Portugal for at least five years. Applicants may undergo interviews and Portuguese language tests as part of the process among other requirements.

The 2024 Henley Passport Index reveals a major shakeup, with six countries—France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain—tied for the top spot, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 194 destinations, the highest recorded since the index’s inception 19 years ago. This marks a shift from the dominance of Asian nations like Japan and Singapore, highlighting a rise in European passport power.

Finland, South Korea, and Sweden are in second place (193 destinations), followed by Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands in third (192 destinations). Other notable rankings include the U.S. and Canada tied for seventh (188 destinations).

The United States passport has slipped in global rankings in recent years. This places it behind several European and Asian nations and regional powers like Australia and New Zealand.

Despite this, a U.S. passport still provides substantial global mobility and privileges compared to the majority of passports worldwide. However, if you are a Portuguese passport holder traveling to the United States, you will need an ESTA to enter the country.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has made the most significant gains over the past decade, ranking 11th in 2024, while Afghanistan remains at the bottom with visa-free access to only 28 destinations. The mobility gap between the highest and lowest-ranked passports continues to widen.

Henley & Partners’ rankings are complemented by other indexes like Arton Capital’s Passport Index, which places the UAE in the top spot with 180 destinations, followed by European nations. 

The Henley Passport Index relies on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and has been monitoring the world’s most travel-friendly passports since 2006. The index ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The database is constantly updated throughout the year, as visa policies change, and serves as a reference for evaluating global mobility offered by passports.

PAJ/Staff