Italy’s Passport Is Ranked #1 by Henley Passport Index

The Henley Passport Index has a long history of providing information about passports globally by ranking them according to the power they have across the whole planet. In a recent decision, Italy’s passport was chosen as number one, placed above all other passports across the entire world.

For those who know the benefits that come with having an Italian passport, this doesn’t come as a shock—but let’s take a look into why exactly it’s been chosen as the most powerful passport, as well as the criteria the Henley Passport Index uses to decide which are the strongest passports in the world.

About the Henley Passport Index

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without applying for and being approved for a visa. It gets data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and uses this to decide the passport rankings.

It exists to allow people to assess the strength of their passport and weigh the benefits of gaining citizenship in other countries, if eligible. For example, someone considering dual citizenship might wonder if the process is worth the result and use the passport ranking of that country to make a decision.

The index is named after Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm, which has been publishing it since 2006. It’s become a widely recognized and referenced resource in the field of travel and migration.

Why Italian Passports Are Ranked Number #1

With 194 visa-free destinations open to Italian passport holders, this was the sole criterion for making their passport number one. There are a few different reasons why Italy has so many countries open visa-free.

The first is that Italy is part of the European Union (EU). The EU allows freedom of movement between its countries without the need for a visa, so anyone with an Italian passport automatically has access to any country that is a member.

The second is their relationship with other countries. Italy’s diplomatic relations and agreements with other countries can influence the visa requirements for Italian passport holders. Strong diplomatic ties and agreements have led to easier travel for citizens.

Last, Italy has considerable diplomatic influence across the world. They have a strong influence in international affairs and a strong voice, meaning they’ve secured advantages for their citizens.

Get an Italian Passport Today with Help from ITAMCAP

While having such a strong passport might seem like a far-off dream, it’s not. Many Americans are eligible for dual citizenship due to Italy’s generous laws and just aren’t aware of it. Dual citizenship means you can keep your U.S. passport and also hold an Italian one, giving you two of the strongest passports in the world.

If you think you might be eligible for dual citizenship, or just want to check out the possibility, contact us at ITAMCAP for a free phone consultation. Call (877)456-1660 today to open up your world.