According to the latest ranking, Germany remains one of the world leaders in terms of freedom of travel: citizens with a German passport can currently travel to 189 countries without a visa.
This puts Germany in third place in a global comparison - together with France, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Denmark and Finland.
Travel without a visa: EU countries dominate the top 10 - Asian country takes top spot
Although Germany has dropped two places compared to the previous year, the gap is minimal. The ranking is currently led by Singapore (193 visa-free destinations), followed by Japan and South Korea (190 each). However, the top 10 is dominated by European countries: 23 of the 27 EU member states are represented.
The ranking in the Henley Passport Index is based on the number of countries to which holders of a particular passport are allowed to enter without a visa. Electronic entry permits such as ESTA for the USA or the new eTA for the United Kingdom, which has been mandatory since April 2025, are also taken into account.
High mobility worldwide with the German passport
For holders of a German passport, this means that entry into large parts of Europe and many non-European countries is possible without a visa. These include Japan, Canada, Brazil, Thailand and Georgia. In countries such as the USA or Canada, only a digital entry permit is required.
There are still restrictions on entering countries such as Afghanistan, North Korea, Syria or Yemen, where a classic visa must usually be applied for in advance.
Importance of nationality for global freedom to travel
Every year, the Henley Passport Index highlights the extent to which freedom to travel depends on nationality. While citizens of many European and Asian countries can travel almost without restriction, people from other regions have difficulty entering large parts of the world.
Afghanistan is once again in last place in the ranking. With an Afghan passport, visa-free entry is only possible to 25 countries. Syria, Iraq and Pakistan are also at the bottom of the index.
Naturalization means more than just the right of residence
For migrants in Germany who have a Naturalization the passport ranking is also relevant from a practical perspective. Obtaining German citizenship not only opens up political participation and an unlimited right of residence, but also a great deal of freedom to travel worldwide - for family visits, travel or professional mobility, for example.
The inventor of the Henley Passport Index, Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, also sees a political dimension in this. He calls for a rethink of how citizenship is handled: "Global inequality in freedom of movement should be questioned more closely - especially with regard to humanitarian crises and access to safe living conditions."
The ten strongest and weakest passes (2025)
Top 10: Visa-free access to most countries:
- Singapore (193 countries)
- Japan (190 countries)
- Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Ireland, Italy, Spain (189 countries)
- Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden (188 countries)
- Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland (187 countries)
- Great Britain (186 countries)
- Australia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Malta, Poland (185 countries)
- Canada, Estonia, United Arab Emirates (184 countries)
- Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (183 countries)
- Iceland, Lithuania, USA (182 countries)
Visa-free access to very few countries:
- Afghanistan (25 countries)
- Syria (27 countries)
- Iraq (30 countries)
- Yemen, Somalia, Pakistan (32 countries)
- Nepal, Libya (38 countries)
- Palestine, Eritrea, Bangladesh (39 countries)
- North Korea (40 countries)
- Sudan (41 countries)
- Sri Lanka, Iran (42 countries)
- South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo (43 countries)
German passport: What requirements must be met?
The German passport stands for global mobility - but how do you get it? German citizenship can be obtained in various ways: by birth, marriage or Naturalization. Each of these options is regulated by the Citizenship Act and is subject to certain requirements.
Nationality by birth
According to § 4 StAG, children automatically receive German citizenship if:
- one parent is German or German by descent, or
- the child is born in Germany, one parent has been living legally in Germany for at least 5 years and has an unlimited right of residence (place of birth principle).
German passport or Naturalization through marriage
Marriage to a German citizen can lead to Naturalization . Prerequisites according to § 9 StAG are
- 3 years legal residence in Germany,
- 2 years of legal marriage or registered civil partnership,
- as well as the fulfilment of all naturalization requirements according to § 10 StAG (including language skills, livelihood, declaration of loyalty).
Naturalization after five or three years
New rules have been in force since 27 June 2024 as a result of the Act on the Modernization of Citizenship Law.
Requirements for Naturalization after 5 years of residence (§ 10 StAG):
- 5 years legal residence in Germany
secure livelihood (for themselves and family) - B1 language certificate
- passed naturalization test
- Proof of identity
- Declaration of loyalty to the free democratic basic order
- Exemption from punishment (exception: up to 90 daily rates)
Requirements for Naturalization after 3 years of residence:
- 3 years legal residence in Germany
- C1 language level
- Special integration achievements (e.g. voluntary work, educational qualifications, professional success)
- all other naturalization requirements as for Naturalization after five years
Important: The German Bundestag is currently discussing a law that would abolish Naturalization after three years. The law is expected to be passed in September 2025. If it comes into force, Naturalization will only be possible after five years.
Dual citizenship possible since 2024
Until June 2024, many applicants had to give up their previous citizenship if they wanted to obtain a German passport. That has changed:Dual citizenship has been possible in principle since the new law came into force.
This means that anyone who is naturalized may retain their previous nationality in addition to German citizenship, provided the country of origin also allows this.
