Cyprus passport regained the 12th place

According to the most recent Henley Passport Index update for 2024, the Cyprus passport has taken back its ranking and has been placed twelfth globally.

This is a notable improvement since it follows a little decline to thirteenth place in October of the previous year.

Henley & Partners' insights indicate that Cyprus has effectively recovered from its October 2023 position. Interestingly, the passport held the 12th place in July 2023, thus its drop to the 13th position was a minor one.

As of the 2024 index, the Cypriot passport now grants access to 182 destinations without the need for a visa, reflecting an increase from the 180 countries it covered in October 2023.

Looking back to 2022, the Cyprus passport was positioned at 15th place on the index, offering access to 179 countries, and this status remained unchanged from 2021. A historical perspective reveals that back in 2006, when data on the index is available, the Cypriot passport held the 12th position.

Aside from the advantage of visa-free travel, Henley & Partners notes that the Cypriot passport also facilitates visa on arrival and electronic travel authority.

The top positions on the index continue to be dominated by passports from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and Spain, offering access to 194 destinations. Following closely are passports from Finland, South Korea, and Sweden in second place, with access to 193 countries. The third position is shared by passports from Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands, providing access to 192 countries.

In the fourth position, passports from Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom offer visa-free access to 191 destinations. The fifth position is occupied by passports from Greece, Malta, and Switzerland, granting access to 190 countries.

Conversely, the bottom of the index features passports from Afghanistan (28 countries), Syria (29 countries), and Iraq (31 countries).

According to Henley & Partners, a strong passport makes travel easier but additionally acts as a major draw for foreign investors by providing significant economic freedoms and business opportunities to the respective state.