2025 Passport Index: Cyprus Ranked 14th Globally

Cyprus passport grants visa-free access to 178 destinations, solidifying the island’s strong position in global mobility.

Alexandros Rapakousios

15 Oct 2025

Cypriot citizens can travel visa-free to 178 destinations worldwide, securing 14th place in the latest Henley Passport Index 2025, released this week. The island nation shares the spot with Bulgaria, confirming its strong standing in global mobility and travel freedom within the European Union.

At the top of the list, Singapore has retained its position as the country with the world’s most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 193 destinations. South Korea follows with 190, and Japan ranks third with 189, continuing Asia’s dominance in international travel access.

European passports remain among the world’s strongest: Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Switzerland share fourth place (188 destinations), while Greece holds a strong sixth position with visa-free access to 186 countries.

U.S. Faces Historic Decline in Passport Power

In a notable shift, the United States has fallen out of the global top 10 for the first time in the 20-year history of the Henley Index, now ranking 12th, tied with Malaysia. American passport holders can currently access 180 countries without a visa — a significant fall from 2014, when the U.S. topped the list.

Analysts attribute this drop to reciprocity issues and tightening visa rules. Brazil, for example, recently ended visa-free entry for U.S., Canadian, and Australian citizens due to lack of mutual access. Meanwhile, China has expanded visa-free access for European nations like Germany and France — but notably excluded the U.S.

The 2025 ranking underlines Asia’s growing mobility advantage, as Singapore, South Korea, and Japan dominate the top three. However, European passports remain remarkably stable, with most EU countries clustered in the top 10–15 positions, reinforcing Europe’s continued global travel strength.