The Global Passport Index (GPI) Report from Global Citizen Solutions is a helpful tool for people looking for a second passport that fits their goals and needs. It goes beyond just checking how many countries a passport allows you to visit without a visa. The report covers three important areas: quality of life, investment opportunities, and enhanced mobility.
While global mobility is a key benefit of any passport, there is also a growing interest in Golden Visas and Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs. This makes it even more crucial for those who want a second passport, as these programs help individuals assess a country’s investment climate and quality of life. These factors are especially important for people looking to protect and grow their assets, retirees, and families wanting good education, affordable healthcare, and economic stability.
This article will cover everything about the passport ranking 2025 by getting deep into the methodology of the Global Passport Index and how each country earned its ranking:
This is what we will cover:
What makes Global Citizen Solutions’ Passport Index stand out?
The Global Passport Index 2025 by Global Citizen Solutions stands out by ranking passports based on more than just visa-free access. It looks at three main areas: Enhanced Mobility, Quality of Life, and Investment Opportunities.
Enhanced Mobility measures how many countries you can visit without a visa, regional travel freedom, and access to key destinations. Quality of Life evaluates safety, human rights, environmental care, and economic stability, showing how appealing a country is as a second home. Investment Index examines a country’s attractiveness to investors, focusing on tax policies and ease of doing business.
The Marketing Director at Global Citizen Solutions, Manuel Garrido, who was also an integral part of the passport index, gave insight on the aim behind the report.
“The Global Passport Index at GCS has gotten better over time, thanks to feedback from our clients and users. We keep improving the ranking system to make it a helpful tool for global citizens, especially those interested in second residences, like Golden Visas or citizenship by investment, which are becoming more popular. The index is perfect for people looking for a backup plan to improve their quality of life, business, healthcare, and other goals. It’s also useful for casual travelers who want to know how many countries they can visit without a visa with their passport.”
Global Passport Ranking 2025: Top 30
GPI Rank | Country | Visa-Free Access | Quality of Life index | Investment Index | |
1 | Sweden | 191 | 1 | 11 | |
2 | Germany | 190 | 3 | 16 | |
3 | Finland | 190 | 2 | 27 | |
4 | Switzerland | 189 | 46 | 2 | |
5 | Netherlands | 189 | 7 | 17 | |
6 | United Kingdom | 189 | 9 | 13 | |
7 | Ireland | 188 | 11 | 19 | |
8 | Denmark | 188 | 4 | 24 | |
9 | Luxembourg | 188 | 10 | 20 | |
10 | Norway | 187 | 8 | 21 | |
11 | Singapore | 187 | 124 | 1 | |
12 | France | 187 | 19 | 26 | |
13 | United States | 184 | 38 | 4 | |
14 | Canada | 184 | 12 | 18 | |
15 | Austria | 187 | 13 | 39 | |
16 | Japan | 185 | 17 | 29 | |
17 | Estonia | 119 | 20 | 12 | |
18 | Czech Republic | 182 | 26 | 31 | |
19 | Belgium | 187 | 25 | 41 | |
20 | Spain | 186 | 53 | 5 | |
21 | New Zealand | 117 | 16 | 44 | |
22 | Italy | 129 | 27 | 49 | |
23 | Australia | 114 | 24 | 40 | |
24 | Portugal | 126 | 6 | 62 | |
25 | Iceland | 117 | 21 | 33 | |
26 | Lithuania | 121 | 30 | 35 | |
27 | Monaco | 107 | 69 | 3 | |
28 | Malta | 123 | 34 | 32 | |
29 | The United Arab Emirates | 123 | 133 | 6 | |
30 | Liechtenstein | 114 | 56 | 9 |
Methodology
To explain how Global Citizen Solutions developed the Global Passport Index, each factor was measured and weighted carefully. The index assesses countries based on their attractiveness for relocation, investment, or dual citizenship. The three rankings it provides helps users get a clearer view of each country’s appeal.
Data for the index was gathered from reliable sources, including the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the Sustainable Development Report.
Enhanced Mobility Index
Instead of just counting how many countries or territories a passport allows access to, Global Citizen Solutions considers how desirable each destination is. This includes factors such as visa-free access and the ease of travel. The Enhanced Mobility Index is the most important of the three indexes, making up 50% of the overall score.
The Investment Index
The Investment Index helps people looking for citizenship by investment get a clear picture of a country’s economy and investment opportunities.
It measures three main factors: the business environment, economic strength, and personal tax levels. The business environment is assessed using six key areas from the Global Competitiveness Index, like market size, innovation, and financial systems. Economic strength is measured by gross national income (GNI) per person, adjusted for purchasing power. Personal tax levels are based on the highest national income tax rate.
This is how the final score is weighed:
Indicator | Weight (%) |
GCI Pillar’s Average Score | 50% |
Economic Strength (GNI per Capita) | 25% |
Personal Taxation Level | 25% |
Quality of Living Index
The Quality of Living Index looks at what makes a country a great place to live, especially for retirees, expats, and digital nomads. It considers factors like cost of living, happiness, migrant acceptance, and more.
Here are the key indicators and their weight in the overall score:
Indicator | Weight (%) |
SDG Score | 30% |
Cost of Living | 20% |
Freedom | 20% |
Happiness Score | 10% |
Environmental Performance | 10% |
Migrant Acceptance | 10% |
Key Findings from the 2025 Passport Index
These are some of the standout findings from the latest passport index.
North America
America and Canada also had a few drops in their rankings for several reasons. Between 2021 and 2024, the United States dropped from 1st to 13th on the Global Passport Index. This happened because the Enhanced Mobility Index fell from 1st to 33rd, and the Quality of Living Index dropped from 10th to 38th. Geopolitical tensions, stricter visa rules from countries like Russia and China, and higher living costs were major reasons. Political divisions and challenges to democratic systems also hurt its position in the World Index.
Canada fell from 3rd to 14th on the GPI during the same time. Higher living costs and housing problems caused its Quality of Living Index to drop from 4th to 15th. More bureaucracy and strict regulations made investing harder, lowering its Investment Index ranking from 9th to 18th.
Europe
According to the Global Intelligence Lead at Global Citizen Solutions, Laura Madrid, Europe had some of the top-ranking countries. “Nordic countries continue to dominate the top positions, with Sweden, Finland, and Denmark among the top five. Switzerland also scores very high on the Global Passport Index overall, thanks to strong performance in the investment and mobility dimensions. However, it dropped significantly in the quality of life index, ranking 46th. This is mainly due to high living costs and a lack of affordable housing,” explained Madrid.
Meanwhile, a Portuguese passport has been well sought after. Portugal has become a popular destination for those looking for pleasant weather, plenty of sunshine, safety, social connections, and a good work-life balance. In Europe, it also stands out as a more affordable option for relocation.
A country that made some of the most improvements was Estonia. Madrid pointed out that Estonia’s GPI ranking climbed from 19th to 11th, and its Investment Index improved from 30th to 12th. Laws like the Blockchain Regulation Act and the Smart Cities Act solidified its leadership in digital innovation. Initiatives such as the Digital Nomad Visa and the expanded Start-up Visa Programme helped attract remote workers and entrepreneurs.
Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Kitts and Nevis have improved their global rankings with smart strategies. The country focused on green tourism and technology, offering visa-free travel to over 150 countries and making the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI) easier with lower investment costs.
Saint Kitts and Nevis improved by investing in blockchain, better infrastructure and healthcare, and updating the Saint Kitts and Nevis CBI with flexible options and a simpler process to attract investors.
Explore Global Citizenship: Key Insights and Options
Navigating the complexities of citizenship, passport acquisition, and immigration can be a daunting task. Whether you're considering a move for business, personal, or security reasons, understanding your options is crucial. At Global Citizen Solutions, we specialize in providing clear, comprehensive guidance in these areas. Our expertly crafted articles offer deep insights and comparisons to help you make informed decisions.
-
Exploring Citizenship by Investment: For those interested in acquiring citizenship through investment, our guide on citizenship through investment breaks down the process, benefits, and key considerations, helping you understand how this path might suit your personal and financial goals.
-
Comparing Citizenship by Investment Programs: Choosing the right program is vital. Our comprehensive comparison of CBI programs worldwide provides a clear, side-by-side look at what each country offers, aiding you in finding the perfect match for your needs.
-
Top Citizenship by Investment Programs: To further assist your decision-making, we've curated a list of the best citizenship by investment programs available. This resource is invaluable for anyone looking to understand which programs offer the most value, security, and benefits.
At Global Citizen Solutions, we're committed to helping you navigate the path to a new citizenship with ease and confidence. Explore our resources to gain a clearer understanding of your options and embark on your journey towards global citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Global Passport Ranking 2025
Why is the Global Passport Index an important tool?
The Global Passport Index, created by Global Citizen Solutions, is a key resource for evaluating countries for relocation, investment, or dual citizenship. It provides a broader view by ranking countries across three areas: Enhanced Mobility, Investment, and Quality of Life, helping individuals choose the best options for their goals.
How is Enhanced Mobility calculated?
Enhanced Mobility is based on the number of countries you can visit without a visa or visa-on-arrival access, along with the ease of traveling regionally and to key global destinations.
What does Quality of Life measure?
Quality of Life considers factors like safety, human rights, environmental sustainability, healthcare, education, and economic stability to show how attractive a country is for relocation or second citizenship.
Can the ranking change over time?
The ranking can change as countries improve or decline in areas like visa access, living conditions, or investment climate. Updates reflect the latest data and trends in global mobility and citizenship.
What are the top 10 passport rankings for 2025?
The top 10 passport rankings for 2025 are:
- Sweden
- Germany
- Finland
- Switzerland
- Netherlands
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Denmark
- Luxembourg
- Norway