Every year a ‘Global Ranking’ of 199 passports from all over the world takes place. This ranking has been done by Henley & Partners for over 18 years. It is assessed on the basis of 227 destinations with which of those 199 passports the most destinations can be visited visa-free. The ranking is done on the basis of the ‘Henley Passport Index’, prepared by Henley & Partners.

The ranking is drawn up every year on the basis of the following criterion:

• The number of countries that holders of a particular passport can visit without being in possession of a visa, or
• in case a visa or electronic travel authorization (ETA) can be issued to the passport holder upon arrival at the destination.

Netherlands ranks position 5 in 2023. In 2020, a Dutch passport had a ranking of 6, which allowed holders of a Dutch passport to visit 186 countries visa-free. In 2021, the Netherlands rose to ranking 5, allowing holders of a Dutch passport to visit 187 countries without a visa. In 2022, the Netherlands was again in ranking 5, but the number of countries that can be visited visa-free increased to 188. In the current year, 2023, the Netherlands is still in ranking 5. And the number of countries that can be visited visa-free has risen to 189.

Japan and Singapore are ranked number 1 in the ranking in 2023. Passport holders of these countries can visit 193 countries visa-free.