The results of the 2022 Henley Passport Index are in and it's good news for German passport holders. The German passport has been ranked the joint-second strongest in the world, with its holders able to visit 190 countries without needing to apply for a visa beforehand.

German passport ranks second in passport index

Every year, the Henley Passport Index, compiled by the Henley and Partners law firm in the UK, examines 199 passports from countries all over the world to determine their effectiveness in allowing the holder to travel to 227 different destinations.

The ranking system awards a passport one point for each country it allows travel to without the need for a pre-obtained visa. Passports are also awarded a point if the bearer can obtain a visa on arrival, or a visitor's permit or electronic travel authority. No points are awarded for destinations for which the traveller needs to obtain a visa, or government approval, before arriving in the country. The ranking does not take into account current travel restrictions related to coronavirus.

German passport continues to perform well

Germany placed second in the ranking in 2022, along with South Korea, and just behind the two countries that topped the list, Japan and Singapore. Germany scored 190 points, meaning German passport holders can visit 190 countries without having to obtain a visa before travelling.

Germany’s passport score of 190 is the same as last year, when it also finished in joint second place with South Korea. Germany has consistently performed well in past passport rankings, placing in the top three spots for the last 10 years. From 2015 to 2017, Germany actually topped the ranking, although this year’s score of 190 is the joint-highest the country has ever received.

The best and worst passports in 2022

According to Henley’s Passport Index, these are the strongest passports in the world in 2022:

1. Japan, Singapore (192)
2. Germany, South Korea (190)
3. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain (189)
4. The Netherlands, Austria, Denmark, France, Sweden (188)
5. Ireland, Portugal (187)
6. Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, UK, USA (186)
7. Australia, Canada, Czechia, Greece, Malta (185)
8. Hungary, Poland (183)
9. Lithuania, Slovakia (182)
10. Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia (181)

And the worst are:

1. Afghanistan (26)
2. Iraq (28)
3. Syria (29)
4. Pakistan (31)
5. Yemen (33)
6. Somalia (34)
7. Palestinian Territory, Nepal (37)
8. North Korea (39)
9. Libya, Kosovo, Bangladesh (40)
10. Sudan, Sri Lanka, Lebanon (41)