The Strongest Passport in Europe in 2026: Which Country Took the Top Spot

Spain topped the ranking of the strongest European passports in 2026. Find out which countries made the top 15 according to Passport Reports

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The question of which country grants its citizens the greatest freedom of movement concerns millions of people every year as they plan travel, studies, or relocation. A new ranking by Passport Reports, reported by Euronews, gives a fairly clear answer — at least when it comes to Europe. Researchers evaluated passports not only by the number of visa-free destinations, but also by the availability of electronic travel authorizations (ETA) and the option to obtain a visa on arrival. The result is telling: while the top two spots in the global ranking went to the UAE and Singapore, third place worldwide went to a European country — Spain.

Also read: which passport offers the best consular protection abroad in 2026?

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Spain — the leading European passport

According to the Passport Reports methodology, the Spanish passport scored 174 mobility points. This means visa-free access to 121 countries, plus another 42 destinations reachable with a visa on arrival. Meanwhile, 11 countries require an ETA, and 24 require a full visa arranged in advance. This balance placed Spain first among European passports and third worldwide.

Interestingly, the gap to the closest contenders is small. Luxembourg, ranked fifth globally, scored just one point less — 173. Its citizens can visit 122 countries visa-free, with another 41 destinations accessible via visa on arrival; 10 countries require an ETA, and 25 require a visa.

The world's strongest passports in 2026, according to the new Global Passport Index 2026, are gathered here.

Belgium, France, and six more countries share the next positions

Sixth place in the ranking went to two countries at once — Belgium and France, each also scoring 173 points. Holders of their passports have visa-free access to 121 destinations and another 41 countries with a visa on arrival; an ETA is required for 11 countries, and a visa for 25.

Seventh place was shared by six European countries at once, all with the same score of 173 points. Their citizens can travel visa-free to up to 120 destinations, 42 of which are accessible with a visa on arrival, 11 require an ETA, and 25 require a visa arranged in advance.

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Full list of the most reliable passports for visa-free travel

    1. UAE

    2. Singapore

    3. Spain

    4. Malaysia

    5. Luxembourg

    6. Belgium, France

    7. Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden

    8. Greece

    9. Portugal, Switzerland

    10. Austria

    11. Norway

    12. Ireland

    13. Japan

    14. Malta

    15. Hungary, Poland

Why the number of visa-free countries isn't the whole picture

A mobility ranking is convenient as a benchmark, but it doesn't account for everything that actually affects a trip. Having visa-free access doesn't guarantee there won't be additional requirements at the border — from proof of accommodation to travel insurance or evidence of sufficient funds. What's more, rules themselves change faster than rankings are updated: countries periodically revise visa-free agreements, introduce new pre-registration systems, or, conversely, lift visa requirements for certain categories of travelers. That's why even holders of the strongest passports should check current entry requirements right before their trip rather than relying solely on a country's position in the ranking.

Find out in our guide where you can travel with your passport.

What a strong passport means for the everyday traveler

For most people, the difference between 120 and 190 visa-free destinations is rarely felt directly — few travelers plan to visit every country on the list. What matters far more is this: the higher the mobility score, the less time and effort goes into preparing for a trip. That means fewer visa applications, fewer consulate visits, and less unpredictability during planning. That's exactly why rankings like Passport Reports are of interest not just to diplomats or analysts, but to ordinary tourists choosing a destination for a vacation or business trip.

At the same time, freedom of movement isn't the only factor in a safe trip. Even with visa-free access, it's worth preparing for what happens if something goes wrong: illness, lost luggage, or flight cancellations can happen regardless of how powerful your passport is.

Countries with high mobility scores tend to attract even more travelers — and, as a result, more surprises along the way, from flights canceled due to overcrowded airports to theft of personal belongings at tourist hotspots. That's why even holders of top-ranked passports should arrange insurance coverage before departure.

Travel insurance covers a wide range of risks — from emergency medical care and hospitalization to lost luggage, theft, accidents, and even emergency evacuation. A policy can also cover costs in case of trip cancellation or delay due to unforeseen circumstances. Arranging one takes just minutes: simply enter your citizenship and destination country, and the system will select the best options for you. This is especially important for long routes or trips covering several countries at once.

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Reminder! Henley & Partners also conducts its own Passport Index study, using a different methodology. Discover the world's most influential passports, the highest-ranked countries, and key trends in global mobility in our previous article.

Photo — generated by Gemini