Czech Passport Secures Sixth Position in 2026 Henley Index with Access to 183 Global Destinations

On January 17, 2026, the London-based consultancy Henley & Partners released its authoritative Henley Passport Index for the year, revealing the latest landscape of global travel freedom. The Czech Republic has firmly established its presence in the upper echelons of international mobility, securing the sixth spot on the global leaderboard. Czech citizens now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 countries and territories, a testament to the nation's enduring diplomatic strength despite shifting dynamics at the very top of the rankings.

Singapore continues to dominate the global stage, maintaining its title as the world's most powerful passport for the second consecutive year with access to 192 destinations. Following closely in second place are Japan and South Korea, whose nationals can explore 188 countries without the need for a prior visa. This comprehensive ranking, which Henley & Partners has curated for two decades, utilizes exclusive data provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ensuring the index remains the gold standard for measuring cross-border travel privileges.

While European nations continue to exert significant influence over the top tier of the index, the Czech Republic shares its sixth-place ranking with a diverse group of nations, including Croatia, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, and Poland. Interestingly, neighboring Slovakia has managed to edge out the Czech Republic by a single destination, claiming the fifth position with access to 184 countries. Although the Czech Republic maintained its sixth-place standing, the 2026 data indicates a slight decrease in its total reach, falling from 185 destinations in previous reports to the current 183.

The 2026 index highlights a widening chasm in global mobility, illustrating a growing disparity between the most and least influential travel documents. The mobility gap has now reached a staggering 168 destinations between the top and bottom of the list. This is a significant increase from 2006, when the index was first introduced; at that time, the difference between the United States and Afghanistan was 118 points. Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, noted that passport privileges are fundamental to economic participation and security, yet the benefits of global movement remain unevenly distributed across the world.

At the lowest end of the spectrum, Afghanistan remains in the 101st position, with its citizens granted access to only 24 destinations worldwide. In contrast, the United States has reclaimed a spot in the top ten, landing in tenth place with access to 179 countries, while the United Kingdom has experienced a notable annual decline in its ranking. These shifts occur as the aviation industry prepares for a landmark year, with IATA forecasting that more than 5.2 billion passengers will take to the skies in 2026, signaling an unprecedented demand for international travel and connectivity.

Ultimately, the Czech Republic's consistent performance within the top six nations underscores its robust diplomatic standing and deep-rooted integration into the global community at the start of 2026. This high level of accessibility not only facilitates tourism and business for its citizens but also reflects the country's stable international relations. As global travel continues to evolve, the Czech passport remains a premier tool for international engagement, providing its holders with nearly unparalleled freedom to navigate the world.