The Portuguese passport was ranked 4th in the world, according to the latest release by the Henley Passport Index (HPI), allowing visa-free access to 191 destinations worldwide without needing a tourist visa.
Portugal shares the ranking with Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, and the United Kingdom, while Greece, Malta and Switzerland ranked 5th.
Last year, the London-based HPI ranked the Portuguese passport 5th, among the most powerful in the world.
Four European Union member states – France, Germany, Italy, and Spain – that have dominated global passport rankings over the past five years, moved to the top of the list this year, joining Japan and Singapore, whose passports allow visa-free access to 194 out of 227 destinations globally.
The United States, which topped the list a decade ago, held its place at 7th, tied with Canada and Hungary, alongside Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, and the Czech Republic. At the bottom of the index are Syria (30 destinations) Iraq (29 destinations) Afghanistan (27 destinations).
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.
Notably, both Portugal and the United States of America permit dual citizenship. Holders of U.S. passports can enter Portugal for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa, provided their passport remains valid for at least three months beyond their stay.
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
