In a surprising twist, the Nomad Passport Index published by Nomad Capitalist has ranked Ireland as the strongest passport in the world for 2025, edging out traditional leaders like Switzerland and Singapore. This index is unique as it evaluates passports based on a range of factors beyond just visa-free travel, including tax advantages, international perception, and options for dual citizenship.
Ireland's passport allows access to 189 destinations either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, contributing to its top score of 109. The country’s attractive tax policies, especially for high-net-worth individuals, along with a positive global reputation, have significantly bolstered its ranking. Moreover, Ireland's membership in the European Union (EU) grants its citizens the right to live and work across Europe, enhancing its appeal.
The Nomad Passport Index assesses 199 citizenships and uses a comprehensive scoring system that includes five key factors: visa-free travel (50% of the overall score), taxation of citizens (20%), perception abroad (10%), dual citizenship possibilities (10%), and personal freedom (10%). This holistic approach helps paint a clearer picture of the advantages and disadvantages of holding each passport.
Following Ireland, the top ten most powerful passports of 2025 are Luxembourg, Switzerland, Portugal, Singapore, Germany, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Sweden, and Finland. Notably, Portugal's progressive digital nomad policies and Switzerland's strong financial privacy have kept them in the top ranks despite the shifting landscape.
Interestingly, Singapore, which often dominates more traditional passport rankings like the Henley Passport Index, has slipped in this year's Nomad Passport Index due to stricter taxes and limited dual citizenship options. This shift emphasizes a growing trend where factors like personal freedom and international perception are becoming increasingly significant in determining passport power.
On the other end of the spectrum, India has ranked 148th in the 2025 index, a decline from its previous position. Indian passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to just 62 destinations, far fewer than many of its competitors. Factors contributing to India's low ranking include limited access to Western countries, high taxation on global income, strict dual citizenship rules, and complex immigration procedures.
India’s total score of 47.5 reflects these challenges, with a visa-free travel score of 75, a taxation score of 20, a perception score of 20 indicating intermediate hostility, a dual citizenship score of 20, and a freedom score of 20, which suggests low personal freedom for its citizens. This places India below many developing nations and highlights significant barriers faced by Indian passport holders in their quest for global mobility.
Despite these challenges, India ranks better than some neighboring countries, such as Pakistan and Afghanistan, which find themselves at the bottom of the list due to severe travel restrictions and negative international reputations. Pakistan is ranked 195th, Iraq at 196th, Eritrea at 197th, Yemen at 198th, and Afghanistan at the very bottom in 199th place.
The Nomad Passport Index’s findings underscore a broader shift in how passport power is defined today. It’s no longer solely about how many countries a passport allows entry into but also how it affects an individual’s financial freedom, mobility, and overall lifestyle. For travelers and expatriates, these rankings offer valuable insights into potential opportunities for residence, business, or leisure abroad.
For Indian citizens seeking greater global mobility, exploring long-term visas offered by countries like Portugal, Grenada, or St. Kitts & Nevis may present viable alternatives. Many of these nations now provide investment-based citizenship options, which can significantly enhance an individual’s ability to travel and work internationally.
As the Nomad Passport Index continues to evolve, it reflects changing global dynamics and the increasing importance of adaptability and favorable legislation for citizens. Ireland's rise to the top spot serves as a reminder that reputation, tax policies, and options for dual citizenship are becoming essential factors in the quest for global mobility.
In summary, while traditional powerhouses like Japan and Singapore may still lead in conventional passport rankings, Ireland’s ascent in the Nomad Passport Index illustrates a new paradigm in passport strength—one that values flexibility, perception, and citizen-friendly policies.
