Portugal's passport outranks UK, US and Canada in new global ranking

The list, produced by PassportIndex, placed Portugal joint third for global mobility, ahead of the US, UK, Canada and Japan.

The ranking is based on a mobility score, which measures how many destinations a passport holder can reach visa-free, via a visa on arrival, through an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), or via a fast-track e-visa.

Figures from the list show that Portuguese passport holders can enter 119 destinations without any prior arrangement. A further 28 destinations require only a visa on arrival, while 13 call for nothing more than a quick online ETA. Another 27 destinations need an online application supported by documents, and just 11 require a full consulate visa application.

Portugal's passport also outperformed those of Australia, Monaco, Hong Kong and Brazil.

Paul Stannard, chairman and founder of Portugal Pathways, said: "Portugal's passport has ranked among the most powerful in the world for a little while now, but it's always important to see it laid out like this.

"Many don't realise how many doors a Portuguese passport can open, especially for families and entrepreneurs looking to expand their horizons."

For non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals interested in this level of mobility, Portugal's Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme may be worth considering.

Successful applicants may be granted a renewable residency permit, subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

After completing the relevant qualifying residency period, eligible applicants can apply for permanent residency or citizenship, provided all legal requirements are met, including language and integration criteria. Timelines vary depending on nationality and the legislation in force at the time, so anyone considering this route should seek qualified advice tailored to their own circumstances.

Current qualifying routes for a Golden Visa include a subscription of at least €500,000 into a regulated investment fund; a capital investment of at least €500,000 through the creation or reinforcement of a Portuguese business, alongside job creation requirements; or a donation starting from €250,000 (reduced to €200,000 in certain designated low-density areas) supporting cultural, artistic or heritage projects.

Physical presence requirements are modest, with holders generally expected to spend an average of around seven days a year in Portugal — there is no requirement to relocate full-time. Residency also allows for Schengen travel of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, under current rules.

Eligible family members — including spouses, dependent children and, in many cases, dependent parents — may be included under a single investment, although each case is assessed individually.

To find out more about investing in Portugal's Golden Visa residency-by-investment programme, arrange a free discovery call with Portugal Pathways.

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About Portugal Pathways

‍‍Portugal Pathways has supported hundreds of Golden Visa residency-by-investment applications and provides expert guidance through its professional supply chain network on estate planning, wealth management, Golden Visa and tax optimisation, including post-NHR / IFICI tax regime planning, as well as private healthcare, money transfers and bespoke relocation and luxury real estate solutions to enhance life and investment in Portugal

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Disclaimer: The information on the Portugal Pathways and Portugal Investment Owners Club (P Club for short) websites and in email communications is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or financial advice. You should consult and check with a qualified professional advisor before relying on any information provided on this website or in email communications. As it relates to investments in Golden Visas or other wealth management solutions offered by regulated and professional advisors, it is important to note that past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Private equities can be highly illiquid and come with risk and should always be under professional independent advice. Golden Visa investments need to be held for 6 to 7 years to allow for permanent citizenship/passport in the EU.

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