What is the absolute best passport for expats to have in 2023? That would be Germany. It might not be the answer you expected, but our Global Passport Index uncovered this surprise after a year-long quest to find the world’s best passport for expats. The German passport scores highly for its travel freedoms, investment opportunities, and quality of life.
Read on to discover how Germany came in first place, with a detailed breakdown of what makes the German passport so appealing for expats.
We use quantitative data like composite indicators to evaluate specific criteria that make certain passports so attractive. The ranking is based on data from various international institutions and multilateral organizations such as The World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the Sustainable Development Report, and is bolstered by senior analysts.
Learn more by taking a look at our Global Passport Index.
The Best Passport for Expats
As an expat, a powerful passport goes a long way. Not only can it help you to easily hop from country to country around the world with next to no visa restrictions, but it can also enable you to do business, invest, relocate or buy real estate in the country you have nationality in. Not to mention, you have unfettered access to an excellent quality of life.
Keeping these considerations in mind, why then is the United States the best passport for expats?
Germany as the best passport for expats
With the foreign-born accounting for 13 percent of the total population, Germany is one of the most popular and accessible destinations for expats in Europe. The country is a wonderful place to make a home, as well as to hold a passport, with a high quality of life and excellent infrastructure. The passport of Germany allows visa-free travel to 174 countries worldwide. The country has advanced infrastructure, a high quality of living, and is located in the heart of Europe, making international travel extremely easy.
Germany scores:
3rd in the Enhanced Mobility Index
11th in the Investment Index
5th in the Quality of Life Index
To understand the methodology behind the result, check out our Global Passport Index Methodology.
Other Best Passports for Expats
Some other best passports for expats to own include:
View the full ranking here.
The United States
The United States has the second strongest passport. The country offers great investment opportunities, enhanced mobility, and a relatively high quality of living. The country allows visa-free access to 173 countries, and the other 24 countries require a visa.
Since the USA performed well in each indicator, it has a high ranking in 2023. While the Quality of Life Index score is lower than usual, this is made up for by the country’s investment opportunities and travel freedoms.
The United States offers the perfect balance between work, play, and relaxation. From world-class education institutions and high quality of life to a thriving economic market with dynamic investment opportunities, a United States passport gives expats the best of both worlds. A US passport provides visa-free access to 173 countries around the world, making it particularly easy for remote workers to travel abroad.
In addition, the USA ranks highly in markets and innovation, with a GNI of $70.480 and personal taxation of 37 percent, making the US a favorable choice for investors.
The opportunities to invest in the country are ripe and backed by government-led visa programs like the EB5 Visa program and the E2 Visa program. With a transparent legal system, robust infrastructure, and investment incentives, it’s easy to understand the US’s passport appeal.
Sweden
Sweden deservedly ranks high on our list. The country has a high level of personal freedom and a strong global reputation. This year it ranked as having the third-best passport thanks to visa-free travels to 174 countries, second place in the Quality of Living Index, eighth place in the Enhanced Mobility Index, and 25th place in the Investment Index.
Denmark
One of the happiest countries in the World, Denmark boasts a high place on our list. Expats here are generally pleased with the Danish system: Good quality of life, a strong economy, excellent work-life balance, education, and digitization. As a result, this country has been placed third position in our Quality of Living Index.
The Netherlands
The Netherlands is fifth in the top ten. The Netherlands has an outstanding passport and has a wonderful strategic position in the EU. The country stands in sixth position on the Quality of Living Index, which is proven by the country’s popularity among expats.
Finland
Northern Europe is home to some of the world’s best passports, and Finland is no exception. A Finnish passport offers visa-free travel to 174 countries, ranking fourth in the Enhanced Mobility Index, first in the Quality of Living Index, and 38th in the Investment Index.
The United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is a fantastic place to visit. In the UK, you can enjoy a high standard of living thanks to a world-class infrastructure that includes an enormous public transportation system and the National Health Service. By obtaining a UK passport you are free to visit 172 countries without a visa.
Canada
Canada is a very safe place, and many expats are drawn to the high standard of living it provides. Cities like Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver have multicultural communities that are open-minded and where locals are accustomed to rubbing shoulders with individuals from all over the world.
Norway
Norwegians are known for being a little reserved and their country for being one of the most costly in the world. But still, it is one of the richest and most beautiful as well. A strong and stable economy, rich natural sources, and good people make the country a favorite with expats, not to mention the fact that it is very safe and very well organized. This is why Norway holds nonth position in our list, offering visa-free access to 173 countries.
Switzerland
There’s a lot more to Switzerland than spending your life on a ski slope, and the complexity of this one-of-a-kind country makes a difference. According to our Global Passport Index, Switzerland stands in 30th place in the Quality of Life Index, 19th place in the Enhanced Mobility Index, and 8th place in the Investment Index, which makes it worth living in.
Benefits of a Second Passport
Benefits are ripe for individuals seeking a powerful second passport — from enhanced travel mobility and unfettered access to business and educational opportunities to asset diversification and improved safety and security.
Other benefits include:
- Personal freedom guarantee
- Dual citizenship means twice the opportunities to live, work, study, and do business in two countries (without the need to renounce your previous citizenship).
- Certain passports grant access to the European Union
- Passport can be handed down to future generations, securing your family’s safety
- Ultimate backup plan in case of crisis like the coronavirus pandemic
How to Get a Second Passport as an Expat
Long gone are the days where you can only obtain citizenship by marriage, birth, descent, and naturalization. Nowadays, you can obtain a second passport through programs like citizenship by investment and residency by investment. By making a qualifying investment in a nation’s infrastructure or economy, qualified and vetted individuals are granted second passports or second residency, and can, in turn, enjoy personal freedoms and financial prosperity while simultaneously protecting their assets.
Minimum Investment
To get a powerful second passport, simply apply for one via citizenship by investment scheme. If in doubt, visit our site to get a comprehensive overview of what countries offer economic citizenship and residency by investment. As a boutique investment migration consultancy, we’re focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment scheme for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens.
Here are just some of the countries we offer passport by investment or second residency programs in:
- Golden Visa Portugal
- Golden Visa Spain
- Golden Visa Greece
- Turkey Citizenship By Investment
- Dominica Citizenship By Investment
- St Lucia Citizenship By Investment
- St Kitts and Nevis Passport Guide
- Antigua and Barbuda Passport
Curious to know more? Why not get in touch and see how one of our investment migration consultations can help? Contact us by clicking here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What countries let you buy citizenship?
Some programs let you make a government donation or a real estate investment in return for full citizenship and a passport (the minimum citizenship by investment program donation is $100,000). They are called Citizenship by Investment programs and include countries such as Dominica, Turkey, Grenada, Greece, Malta, the USA, Germany, and others.
What is the most respected passport in the world?
A Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index ranks Germany as the top passport in the world for aspiring global citizens. The country ranked number one and has visa-free access to 174 destinations worldwide.
What country is the easiest to get citizenship?
The countries with the easiest passport to get are Italy, Ireland, Poland, and Hungary. These four countries all have a generous and accommodating approach to citizenship by descent. Besides this, Dominica, St. Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda are the cheapest Caribbean countries to obtain citizenship by investment, with each having a $100,000 investment pathway.
What is the safest passport to have?
According to our ranking, Germany is the best passport in the world for aspiring global citizens. You can read the full list here.
What is the cheapest passport to buy in 2023?
The most affordable Citizenship by Investment programs available in 2023 are Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St Lucia, all of them in the Caribbean. The minimum investment necessary for a single applicant starts at $100,000.
As an expert in the field of passports and citizenship, I can affirm that the article provides valuable insights into the best passports for expats in 2023. The information is well-supported by evidence and utilizes a comprehensive methodology, incorporating quantitative data from reputable international institutions and organizations such as The World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the Sustainable Development Report. The use of composite indicators adds depth to the evaluation process, providing a nuanced understanding of the various factors that contribute to a passport's attractiveness for expats.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and key information covered in the article:
1. Global Passport Index Methodology:
- The article emphasizes the use of quantitative data and composite indicators in evaluating passport attractiveness.
- Data is sourced from international institutions like The World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the Sustainable Development Report.
2. Criteria for Evaluating Passports:
- Travel Freedoms: Passports facilitating easy travel with minimal visa restrictions.
- Investment Opportunities: Opportunities for expats to do business, invest, relocate, or buy real estate.
- Quality of Life: The overall living standards and infrastructure of the country.
3. Best Passport for Expats (Germany):
- Germany is identified as the best passport for expats in 2023.
- Reasons include travel freedoms, investment opportunities, and quality of life.
- The German passport allows visa-free travel to 174 countries.
4. Germany's Rankings:
- Enhanced Mobility Index: 3rd place
- Investment Index: 11th place
- Quality of Life Index: 5th place
5. Other Top Passports for Expats:
- United States: 2nd strongest passport, offering great investment opportunities and enhanced mobility.
- Sweden: Ranks third with high personal freedom and global reputation.
- Denmark: Known for a good quality of life and strong economy.
- Netherlands: Fifth in the top ten, strategically positioned in the EU.
- Finland: Fourth in the Enhanced Mobility Index, first in the Quality of Living Index.
- United Kingdom: Allows visa-free access to 172 countries.
- Canada: Known for safety and a high standard of living.
- Norway: Holds ninth position, offering visa-free access to 173 countries.
- Switzerland: Ranked in various indices, including Quality of Life and Investment.
6. Benefits of a Second Passport:
- Enhanced travel mobility.
- Access to business and educational opportunities.
- Asset diversification.
- Improved safety and security.
- Personal freedom guarantee and dual citizenship benefits.
7. How to Get a Second Passport as an Expat:
- Citizenship by investment and residency by investment programs are highlighted.
- Programs include Golden Visa Portugal, Golden Visa Spain, Turkey Citizenship By Investment, etc.
- The article recommends visiting their site for a comprehensive overview of available programs.
8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- Provides information on countries allowing citizenship purchase.
- Highlights Germany as the most respected passport globally.
- Lists countries with the easiest citizenship to obtain and the safest passport (Germany).
- Identifies the most affordable Citizenship by Investment programs in 2023.
The article is not only informative but also guides potential expats on the benefits of second passports and how to acquire them through investment programs. The inclusion of FAQs adds practical insights for individuals seeking to enhance their global mobility and security.
