Cypriot passport holders can travel visa-free to 174 countries and destinations, according to the Henley Passport Index 2026, which ranks Cyprus 14th globally for the second consecutive year.
The ranking places Cyprus among nations with high levels of global mobility and ahead of major economies, in a world where freedom of movement is increasingly tied to political stability and diplomatic credibility.
Cyprus has maintained a stable position in the index over two decades. The country peaked at 12th in both 2012 and 2024, whilst its lowest ranking was 18th during 2010-2011.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates 199 passports against 227 travel destinations based on visa-free entry. The index, which covers 20 years of historical data, is considered the most authoritative global passport ranking tool and serves as a benchmark for government policies and geopolitical analyses.
Cyprus remains competitive at European level, though it trails the strongest European passports in the top five of the rankings. The 14th position gives Cypriots significant advantages for work, study, business and quality of life at a time when border-free movement is gaining value.
Singapore leads the world with visa-free access to 192 destinations. Japan and South Korea share second with 188, followed by five European nations—Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland—with 186. Greece ranks fourth alongside other European countries with access to 185 destinations.
The UAE has recorded the most dramatic rise in the index’s 20-year history, climbing to fifth with 184 destinations after adding 149 new visa-free countries since 2006 through targeted diplomatic strategy.
The UK, by contrast, suffered the biggest annual drop, losing access to eight destinations. The USA ranks 10th with 179 destinations, having fallen six places over the past two decades.
The index highlights how visa-free travel is becoming a privilege shaped by geopolitical tensions.