Ireland Rises to No.1, But Where Does India’s Passport Stand?

In a historic milestone, Ireland has emerged as the No. 1 passport in Nomad Capitalist’s annual World’s Best Passports ranking for 2025, marking the first time a northern European country has achieved this prestigious position. This innovative ranking diverges from traditional passport indices that focus solely on visa-free travel, offering instead a comprehensive evaluation that considers five key factors.

Ireland Crowned World’s Best Passport in 2025 Ranking

The Nomad Passport Index, renowned for its dynamic approach, allocates 50% of the score to visa-free travel, reflecting a country’s global mobility and ease of travel. Ireland's passport excels in this category, offering its citizens extensive visa-free access, visa on arrival, and efficient electronic travel authorization (eTA) or eVisa options. The index incorporates government data from 199 passport-issuing countries and territories along with real-time intelligence and proprietary research, which is summarized into a MobilityScore that captures the true essence of travel ease.

Where Does India Stand?

Beyond travel, the index places a strong emphasis on taxation, accounting for 20% of the overall score. Unlike traditional assessments, Nomad Capitalist’s methodology evaluates countries on how their tax policies affect global citizens. The Taxation criterion assigns scores on a scale from 10 to 50: a score of 10 signifies that citizens are taxed regardless of their place of residence, whereas a score of 50 indicates a zero-tax policy. Ireland's balanced and competitive tax regime, which does not burden residents with taxes on foreign income and offers attractive relocation policies, has contributed significantly to its top ranking.

Additionally, the index factors in global perception (10%), dual citizenship opportunities (10%), and personal freedom (10%), ensuring a holistic evaluation of each passport’s international influence. These elements underscore the importance of diplomatic relations, legal flexibility, and the overall quality of life that a passport can offer. Ireland's high scores across these additional dimensions highlight its strong global reputation, welcoming policies towards dual citizenship, and commitment to personal freedoms.

Ireland’s ascension to the top of the ranking not only celebrates its international mobility but also positions it as a model for countries striving to balance travel freedom with favorable tax policies and a high standard of personal rights. As global dynamics continue to evolve, the Nomad Passport Index serves as an essential guide for global citizens seeking passports that truly reflect the multifaceted benefits of international travel and modern governance.