Revealed: Irish passport joins UK, France for sixth place in 2023 Global Power Rankings

The ranking of the most powerful passports in the world has been released, with the Irish passport tied for sixth in the official ranking.

Holders of Irish passports can enter 187 different countries or territories without a visa. According to the Henley Passport Index of 2023, this is on par with the passport strengths of France, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

The index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations.

Japanese passports are once again listed as the best passports to own, as holders of Japanese passports can enter 193 different countries and territories around the world - the most of any country.

Asian countries dominated the top three spots, with South Korea and Singapore tied for second, with access to 192 territories, according to the International Air Transport Authority.

Germany and Spain are the third EU countries with access to 190 countries, ahead of Finland, Italy and Luxembourg with 189 countries.

Austria, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands have access to 188 countries, followed by Ireland, France, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

The top 20 is dominated by EU countries, the US and the UK, with three Asian countries topping the list.

The Afghan passport was listed as the worst, allowing entry to only 27 overseas territories without a visa.

The list of the best and worst passports for 2023 is as follows:

Here are the best passports to own in 2023, according to the Henley Passport Index:

1. Japan (193 destinations)

2. Singapore, South Korea (192 destinations)

3. Germany, Spain (190 destinations)

4. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg (189 destinations)

5. Austria, Denmark, Netherlands, Sweden (188 destinations)

6. France, Ireland, Portugal, United Kingdom (187 destinations)

7. Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United States, Czech Republic (186 destinations)

8. Australia, Canada, Greece, Malta (185 destinations)

9. Hungary, Poland (184 destinations)

10. Lithuania, Slovakia (183 destinations)

The worst passport rankings for 2023, according to the Henley Passport Index:

102. North Korea (40 destinations)

103. Nepal, Palestine (38 destinations)

104. Somalia (35 destinations)

105. Yemen (34 destinations)

106. Pakistan (32 destinations)

107. Syria (30 destinations)

108. Iraq (29 destinations)

109. Afghanistan (27 destinations)