The UK has climbed the global passport power rankings – here’s where British passports rank in 2026

The first Henley Passport Index of 2026 has officially landed. Four times each year, consultancy firm Henley & Partners ranks the power of 199 of the world’s passports based on how many countries each one allow its holder to enter without a visa. And, for the first time in a long time, the UK passport has risen up the list. 

There was a period between 2010 and 2015 when the UK’s passport was consistently one of the top three most powerful passports in the world, but that power has been diminishing over the past few years. Our passport hit a record low back in October when it was booted down to eighth place, but in the most recent edition, it’s been promoted to seventh place.

Despite going up in the ranking, Brit passport holders actually have visa-free access to fewer countries than they did three months ago. In October, the passport enabled visa-free entry to 184 but now that number sits at 182. That means that its climb up the rankings is down to other nations’ passports becoming less powerful. But don’t get us wrong, visa-free access to more than 180 countries is still a big privilege. 

Misha Glenny, award-winning journalist and Rector of the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna, explained: ‘Passport power ultimately reflects political stability, diplomatic credibility, and the ability to shape international rules. As transatlantic relations strain and domestic politics grow more volatile, the erosion of mobility rights for countries like the US and UK is less a technical anomaly than a signal of deeper geopolitical recalibration.’

The Henley Passport Index top 10 strongest passports in the world, January 2026

1. Singapore
2. Japan, South Korea
3. Luxembourg, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden
4. Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway
5. Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, UAE
6. Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, Poland
7. Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, United Kingdom
8. Canada, Iceland, Lithuania
9. Malaysia
10. USA

Read more about the the world’s most powerful passports here. 

ICYMI: The UK has launched a new passport. 

📍 The 14 best places to visit in the UK in 2026.

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