According to the Nomad Passport Index 2025, Ireland has the most powerful passport in the world.
This is the first time a Northern European country has won the solo No. 1 spot in the annual rankings from nomad capitalists, a tax and immigration consultant. However, Ireland approached in 2020 when he was tied to top positions alongside Luxembourg and Sweden.
“Ireland has shaken its rankings thanks to the country’s strong international reputation, business-friendly tax policies and flexibility in citizenship,” Javier Correa, a researcher with the company, told CNBC Travel.
Unlike other rankings, which often rate passports based solely on visa-free travel capabilities, Nomad Capitalist’s ranking analyzes five criteria.
Visa-free travel – 50% tax – 20% global awareness – 10% ability to retain dual citizenship – 10% individual freedom (freedom of the press, forced military service, etc.) – 10%
These factors allow people considering different or additional passports to better understand the “true value” of citizenship around the world, and ultimately “go to where they are best treated,” according to the Index.
Passport ranking
The 9th edition of the list is ranked according to the index, using 199 countries and territories, including the national tax authorities for tax rankings, the United Nations Human Development Index for World Happiness Report and Perception Rankings.
The score ranges from 10 to 50, but with the exception of the visa category, it is the number of countries that passport holders can enter without requiring a visa.
This is the list from 1st to 49th place.
European countries hold nine of the top 10 spots, from Swiss perennial powers to small countries in Luxembourg and Malta.
The most ranked passports outside of Europe are the United Arab Emirates and New Zealand, both tied for 10th place.
The complete list can be found on the Nomad Capitalist website.
Greece rise, UAE waterfall
Greece (second tied), Slovenia (13th tied), and Spain (32nd tied) 2025 rankings have spurred changes in tax scores across the country.
“In a turbulent year marked by changing geopolitics and policy changes, Greece jointly rose dramatically from Switzerland from sixth place, releasing the rankings, reflecting the increased credibility among high-net individuals, retirees and global investors.
However, other countries, including Lithuania, the Netherlands, Germany and Hungary, moved down the rankings. In particular, the UAE was ranked number one in 2023 and sixth in 2024, but in 2025 it came in 10th.
“Taxes have been introduced recently…has undermined the appeal (of the UAE) for global entrepreneurs,” the release said.
Countries at the top of other lists, such as Singapore and Japan, ranked lower on the list of nomadic capitalists. Both have low double citizenship scores that are restricted in Japan and not accepted in Singapore. Japan is also portrayed in the taxation category, but Singapore has a warm score for individual freedom.
Singapore ranks 126 out of 180 countries for reporters without the 2024 World Press Freedom Index, requiring that male citizens and permanent residents will serve in the military for about two years when they turn 18. However, the island nation has the highest score for “recognition.”
The weakest passports on the list ranked 195-199 are Pakistan, Iraq, Eritrea, Yemen and Afghanistan.
– CNBC’s Bella Stoddart contributed to this report.
