travelerconfidential

We all know how important a passport is if you want to travel internationally, but did you know which country issues the passport is just as important?

That’s because having a passport from certain countries can make it easier or harder for you to travel. Take for instance, residents of Germany. Did you know German citizens can visit 177 countries without having to apply for a visa to enter those countries? Meanwhile, Afghanistan citizens can only visit 25 countries visa-free. Citizens of the United States along with Belgium, Denmark, and the Netherlands can visit 174 countries without needing a visa.

These new numbers come from Henley & Partners Visa Restrictions Index. Each year, the firm ranks countries according to the total number of other countries their citizens can visit visa-free, and the travel freedom their citizens enjoy. This year, it looked at 199 different passports.

Take a look at the top 10 countries and the bottom 10 countries on the Visa Restrictions Index list:

TOP 10:

1. Germany – 177 countries

2. Sweden – 176 countries

3. Finland, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom – 175 countries

4. United States, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium – 174 countries

5. Austria, Japan, Singapore – 173 countries

6. Canada, Republic of Ireland, Republic of South Korea, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland – 172 countries

7. Greece, New Zealand – 171 countries

8. Australia – 169 countries

9. Malta – 168 countries

10. Hungary, Iceland, Czech Republic – 167 countries

BOTTOM 10:

1. Afghanistan – 25 countries

2. Pakistan – 29 countries

3. Iraq – 30 countries

4. Somalia – 31 countries

5. Syria – 32 countries

6. Libya – 36 countries

7. Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Nepal, Sudan, Palestinian Territory – 37 countries

8. Kosovo, South Sudan, Yemen – 38 countries

9. Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon, Sri Lanka – 39 countries

10. Burundi, Democratic People’s Republic of North Korea, Myanmar – 42 countries

Click here for more on the entire list.