Ireland Claims Best Passport of 2025: A Shift in Global Rankings

In 2025, Ireland has emerged as the strongest passport in the world, according to the Nomad Passport Index 2025, marking the first time the country has held the solo top position. This annual ranking assesses passports based on five criteria: visa-free travel, taxation, global perception, dual citizenship opportunities, and personal freedoms. While visa-free travel accounts for 50% of the score, taxation contributes 20%, and the remaining criteria each represent 10%.

The list evaluates 199 countries and territories from various sources, including tax authorities and international indices. European countries dominate the ranking, with nine out of the top ten spots. Switzerland leads the group, followed by Greece in a tie for second place with Ireland. Notably, Greece’s rise reflects its increasing attractiveness to high-net-worth individuals and investors, shifting from sixth to joint second place due to improved tax scores. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates, previously ranked first in 2023, has fallen to 10th position due to newly implemented taxes that have diminished its appeal for global entrepreneurs.

Countries like Singapore and Japan, often regarded highly elsewhere, rank lower on this index due to restrictive dual citizenship policies and less favorable scores in taxation and personal freedoms. Ultimately, the index highlights the complexities of evaluating citizenship value, urging individuals to consider broader criteria beyond mere visa access. The weakest passports are those from Pakistan, Iraq, Eritrea, Yemen, and Afghanistan, ranked from 195 to 199.

Source: CNBC