World’s ‘best’ passports

The world’s most influential passport is that of Sweden, with the UK passport as powerful.

The Swedish passport allows the bearer to enter the most number of countries without having to apply for a visa.

Booking website GoEuro rated 51 nations according to the number of countries which can be visited with just a passport and without a visa.

Five countries had passports which let holders enter 174 nations visa-free. They are Sweden, Finland, Germany, the UK and the US.

To break the tie, GoEuro considered the costs of obtaining passports. Here Sweden with its £28 charge excelled. A new British passport costs £73.

Denmark, Canada, Spain, Belgium and the Netherlands followed to make up the top ten. The countries which could be visited varied only from 173 or 172.

Portugal’s passport had equal billing (172 countries) but was put in 12th position.

Only two countries outside of Europe and North America - Japan (13th) and Singapore (18th) finished in the top 20.

Turkey charges the most, £166, although passports from Lithuania, Mexico, Australia and Switzerland are more than £100. People from the United Arab Emirates get off the most lightly, with passport charge of £9.