PassRank

Strongest passports by region in 2026

By PassRank editorial · 2026-03-22

In short: In 2026 the strongest passports by region are: UAE (Middle East and Asia, score 169), Spain (Europe, 161), New Zealand (Oceania, 158), Canada (Americas, 155) and Seychelles (Africa, 134). Regional leaders cluster near the global top, except in Africa.

Passport power is uneven across the map. Here are the regional leaders in 2026 by PassRank score, with links to each full regional ranking.

Regional leaders at a glance

RegionStrongest passportPassRank score
EuropeSpain161
AsiaUnited Arab Emirates169
Middle EastUnited Arab Emirates169
AmericasCanada155
OceaniaNew Zealand158
AfricaSeychelles134

Scores reflect the current snapshot; see each regional page for the full, live-ranked list.

Europe: the deepest top tier

Europe has more top-20 passports than any other region. The EU and EEA passports sit in a tight band around 160 — Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the Nordics — thanks to Schengen freedom of movement and decades of reciprocal waivers. Browse the Europe ranking.

Asia and the Middle East: led by the Gulf

The UAE tops both Asia and the Middle East, the result of an aggressive visa-waiver strategy. East Asia is strong too: Singapore, South Korea and Japan all clear 160. See the Asia and Middle East rankings.

The Americas: a wide spread

Canada (score 155) edges out the United States (153) to lead the region, with Chile (148) the strongest in South America. Below them, access drops off toward Central America and the Caribbean. See the Americas ranking.

Africa: a high leader, a low average

Seychelles leads Africa by a wide margin, but the continental average is the world’s lowest — many African passports require visas for most destinations. The Africa ranking shows the full spread.

Oceania

New Zealand (158) and Australia (157) sit near the global top, while Pacific island passports vary widely. See the Oceania ranking.

For the worldwide picture, see the most powerful passports of 2026 and the full ranking.

Frequently asked questions

What is the strongest passport in Asia?

The UAE passport leads Asia on the PassRank index with a score of 169, ahead of Singapore, South Korea and Japan.

What is the strongest passport in Africa?

Seychelles leads Africa with a PassRank score of 134, well ahead of the continental average, thanks to broad visa-free access across Europe and Asia.

Which region has the most top-tier passports?

Europe — the EU and EEA passports dominate the global top 20, clustered around a score of 160 thanks to Schengen freedom of movement and wide reciprocal agreements.

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Last updated: 2026-03-22