The 10 most powerful passports in the world – UK doesn’t even make the top 5

As global unpredictability intensifies, from geopolitical tensions to shifting policies in major nations, the need for safe havens has never been more important.

Global Citizen Solutions (GCS), a leading firm specialising in global mobility and second citizenship solutions, has unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 Global Passport Index.

This innovative ranking system goes beyond traditional passport rankings, offering a comprehensive and multidimensional assessment of a country’s attractiveness for those seeking second citizenship or residency.

Taking into account factors like quality of life, enhanced mobility, and investment potential at its core, the Global Passport Index is a vital tool for global citizens navigating cross-border opportunities.

In this list, the UK does not make the top five on the list.

Sweden takes the top position, primarily due to its strong performance in investment metrics (11th place) which is worth 25 percent of the overall calculation. It also ranks first for the quality of living index, which takes into consideration things such as sustainable development, cost of living, level of happiness and personal freedoms.

It also ranks eighth in the enhanced mobility category, which carries the most weight and takes into account the travel benefits for the holder.

Germany takes second place, with third place in the quality of living, 16th in the investment index and 10th in the enhanced mobility index.

European nations dominate the top 10 rankings, highlighting the region’s appeal in terms of quality of life and economic opportunities. Germany, Finland, and the Netherlands remain key performers across all categories.

Finland takes third place, while Switzerland rises to the fourth spot, despite a lower score in the quality of life category due to high living costs. Its high investment category score underscores its status as a top destination for global investors. Finland earned an impressive second place in the quality of living index and eighth in the enhanced mobility index.

The Netherlands beats the UK to the fifth spot, with an impressive fourth place in the enhanced mobility index.

The UK, in sixth position, earned a solid ninth place for quality of life, 13th for investment and only 20th for the enhanced mobility index.

The US and Canada fall out of the top 10, with declining scores in both enhanced mobility and quality of life.

Ireland and Luxembourg enter the top 10, driven by improvements in both investment and mobility.

Estonia, Japan, and Portugal saw significant upward movement due to enhanced investment prospects, reflecting global shifts in economic policies and mobility trends.

Singapore maintains its top position in both the mobility and investment categories reinforcing its strong overall scores across both metrics. However, in the quality of life category, it ranks lower compared to those of European nations.

“By considering a wide range of indicators beyond just visa-free access destinations, our index offers a comprehensive look at what truly makes a country attractive for second citizenship or residency,” said Dr Laura Madrid, the lead researcher of the Global Citizen Solutions Intelligence Unit.

“This is especially important at a time when global volatility is at an all-time high, with major events like the upcoming US presidential elections and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and other regions of the globe spurring citizens to seek plan B solutions. The data shows that global mobility is about more than travel freedom—it’s about safety, lifestyle, investment potential, tax and business considerations.”

Global Citizen Solutions CEO, Patricia Casaburi, also emphasised the importance of the index for modern global citizens, saying: “Our index gives global citizens the information they need to choose the best countries for living, investing, and thriving in a rapidly evolving world”.