The world's 'happiest' passports revealed: Nordic nations dominate new global ranking - with the UK in a dismal 17th place

By ERIN DEBORAH WAKS, TRAVEL WRITER

Published: 04:59 EST, 12 November 2026 | Updated: 04:59 EST, 12 November 2026

You might be familiar with the concept of the world’s most powerful passports – but what about the happiest?

A new index has ranked 50 countries on how well they score for the top factors contributing to happiness: wellbeing, freedom, mobility, prosperity, health and safety.

Data from the study, from migration firm Global Citizen Solutions, was used to compile a list of the nations considered best for happiness as well as freedom to travel.

The results don’t always match up to the strongest passports – but in many cases they do.

So, which are the happiest passports – and where does the UK rank?

In the winning spot, taking the title of ‘happiest’ passport, is Finland, with a score of 93.2 out of 100.

The world’s happiest passport has been revealed – and the winning country is Finland

In second place, taking the silver medal, is Iceland

It is closely followed by Iceland, at 92.4, and Denmark, with a score of 92.1.

Rounding out the top five are Norway, with 89.3, and Switzerland, at 88.3.

Of the top ten, eight are in Europe – the only outliers are New Zealand (eighth place) and Singapore (in tenth place).

As for the UK, it comes in at an unremarkable 17th place on the list, with a score of 77.8.

This means it is beaten by nations including Spain, in 16th place with a score of 79, Malta, in 14th place with a score of 79.6, and Germany, in 11th place with a score of 82.3.

‘One of the findings is that the happiest countries also hold some of the strongest passports: Finland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland rank in the top ten on both, and Finland leads the index,’ says the study.

Underwhelming: The UK comes in 17th place on the list of happiest passports

‘Below the top, however, the two part ways. Portugal and Greece hold passports among the ten strongest but rank 39th and 43rd on life evaluation, while Costa Rica and Israel are among the ten happiest countries but hold passports in the bottom half.

‘Some of the most striking cases come from Latin America, where people report more happiness than their passports or incomes would suggest.’

‘The happiest countries tend to hold strong passports, but not always,’ said Dr Laura Madrid, lead researcher at Global Citizen Solutions, according to Euronews.

‘Among wealthier countries, our briefing finds that happiness correlates far more strongly with freedom than with passport strength. That is because a passport offers something different: choice beyond the border.’

The Happy Passports Index 2026

1. Finland

2. Iceland

3. Denmark

4. Norway

5. Switzerland

6. Sweden

7. Netherlands

8. New Zealand

9. Austria

10. Singapore

11. Germany