The Irish passport has once again demonstrated its immense value by ranking tied for second in the world for 2026. This high ranking comes as other major English-speaking nations, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, rank much lower on the Nomad Passport Index.

Ireland achieved a total score of 108, securing its position as one of the world's most desirable travel documents. The Emerald Isle previously held the number one spot but remains firmly in the elite tier alongside its European neighbors.

The index highlights Ireland's long-established global reputation and its stable common-law system as key drivers of its success. Holders of an Irish passport benefit from excellent visa-free travel options and a perfect score for personal freedom.

The Nomad Passport Index takes a different approach than typical rankings that look only at travel numbers. This annual report analyzes 199 distinct citizenships across five categories to determine their true worth. These factors include visa-free travel privileges, taxation of citizens, and the country's global perception. The methodology also accounts for the ability to hold dual citizenship and the level of personal freedom afforded to residents.

The United States continues to struggle in these comprehensive rankings and currently ranks 43rd. This mid-table placement is mainly due to the American policy of taxing its citizens on their worldwide income regardless of where they actually live. Even though the US passport offers strong travel mobility, the heavy compliance burden and tax rules significantly drag down its overall score.

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 The United Kingdom has also seen its standing decline and now sits in a tie for 35th place. The British passport has lost value in the eyes of international investors following the abolition of the non-domicile tax regime. This change has moved the UK toward a stricter tax system for residents and reduced its appeal compared to more flexible European alternatives.

Top ten global passports

- Malta

- Greece

- Ireland

- Romania

- Cyprus

- Bulgaria 

- Czech Republic

- Italy

- New Zealand

- Hungary

- United Arab Emirates

European Union member states dominate the top of the 2026 list. Malta claims the title of the world's best passport this year thanks to its mix of travel freedom and tax flexibility. Ireland follows closely behind, tied for second place with Greece and Romania. Cyprus sits alone in fifth place.

 The rest of the top ten features a mix of European nations and one global outlier. Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Italy, and New Zealand share a four-way tie for the sixth position. Hungary and the United Arab Emirates round out the elite list by tying for the tenth spot. This year's results confirm that a simple travel document is no longer enough to secure a top ranking without favorable tax laws and civil liberties.