THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
For travellers, the strength of a passport can make a significant difference to how easily they can cross borders. A new 2026 ranking by Passport Reports compares passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without obtaining a visa in advance, including destinations offering visa-free entry, visa on arrival or electronic travel authorisation (ETA). The latest data were checked on 24 September 2026.
The United Arab Emirates occupies first place globally, followed by Singapore. Spain is the highest-ranked European country, in third place overall, with a mobility score of 174. Malaysian and Spanish passports both score 174, although they are listed separately in the ranking.
Spain leads Europe
Spanish passport holders can travel to 121 destinations without a visa, while another 42 destinations offer visa-on-arrival access. An ETA is required for 11 destinations, while 24 require a visa before travel. This gives Spain a mobility score of 174 in the Passport Reports index.
Luxembourg follows among European countries, ranking fifth globally with a score of 173. Its citizens have visa-free access to 122 destinations and visa-on-arrival access to another 41. Ten destinations require an ETA and 25 require a visa in advance.
Belgium and France share sixth place globally, also with mobility scores of 173. Their passport holders have access to 121 destinations without a visa and 41 with a visa on arrival.
Germany is part of a six-country European group sharing seventh place. Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden each score 173. Their citizens can enter 120 destinations visa-free and another 42 with a visa on arrival; 11 destinations require an ETA and 25 require a visa.
The leading passports
The top of the Passport Reports 2026 table is:
- United Arab Emirates – 182
- Singapore – 175
- Spain – 174
- Malaysia – 174
- Luxembourg – 173
- Belgium and France – 173
- Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Netherlands and Sweden – 173
- Greece – 173
- Portugal and Switzerland – 173
- Austria – 173
The ranking illustrates why it is important to check which passport index is being used. Different organisations use different methodologies and can therefore produce different rankings. For example, the 2026 Henley Passport Index measures access to destinations without a prior visa application and produces a different ordering of European passports.
For Africans living in Europe, such rankings also underline a practical reality: citizenship can have a substantial effect on international mobility. A German, French or Spanish passport, for example, provides access to a large number of destinations under relatively straightforward entry arrangements, although travellers must always check the current requirements of their destination before departure.
Source: Passport Reports, 2026. Rankings and entry conditions can change as countries introduce or remove visa requirements.
