Turkey has moved from 52nd to 46th in the Henley Passport Index, with access to 116 destinations without a visa in advance. Here is what the ranking measures and what Turkish citizenship does and does not open.
On January 8, 2025, Henley and Partners published its annual Henley Passport Index, and the Turkish passport was one of the year's notable movers. It rose six places, from 52nd to 46th, with access to 116 destinations without a visa obtained in advance. Turkey shares 46th place with Russia.
Burak Demirel, Henley and Partners' director for Turkey, told the business magazine Capital that it was pleasing to see the Turkish passport settle in 46th place.
The Henley Passport Index ranks all 199 of the world's passports by the number of 227 destinations their holders can enter without a visa arranged beforehand. It is built on data from IATA, the International Air Transport Association, which airlines use to check travel documents at check in. A destination counts if the traveller can enter visa free, get a visa on arrival, or use a simple electronic travel authorisation. It does not count if a visa must be obtained before travelling, including most electronic visas that need approval.
Two features of the method are worth knowing. Countries that share the same score share the same rank, so many passports cluster together and a single new agreement can move a country several places. And the score counts destinations equally, so access to a small island state counts the same as access to a large economy.
Singapore leads the 2025 index with 195 destinations, followed by Japan with 193. A group of European countries together with South Korea share third place with 192. The United Arab Emirates reached 10th place with 185 destinations, having climbed 32 places over the past decade. Afghanistan remains at the bottom, and Henley says the gap between the strongest and weakest passports is now the widest in the index's 19 year history.
Turkey's history on the index shows how much movement there can be. According to Turkish Minute, the Turkish passport's best ever position was 38th in 2014. This year's rise reverses part of the slide since then and puts the passport in the upper half of the table, ahead of China, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and Morocco, among others.
The 116 destinations cover a broad spread of the world, but there are also gaps that matter for planning:
The E2 point needs care. Since a US law signed in December 2022, people who obtained a treaty country's citizenship through investment must have been domiciled in that country for at least three continuous years before they can use it for an E2 visa. For Turkish citizenship by investment, that means the route is a long term option rather than an immediate one.
Turkey grants citizenship to investors who buy property with an official valuation of at least US$400,000 and keep it for three years, with alternatives such as a US$500,000 bank deposit. A spouse and children under 18 are included, Turkey permits dual citizenship, and there is no requirement to live in the country. The main attractions have always been the family coverage and the fact that the money stays in an asset you own.
A rising passport ranking adds to that case. It is not the reason to choose Turkey, because the Schengen, UK and US visa requirements remain, but it means the travel side of the citizenship is moving in the right direction. For families who want a second citizenship backed by real property, from one of the larger economies in its region, the 2025 index is a welcome sign. We help clients apply, work with our local team for the property purchase and the application, and quote fixed fees in writing.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice.
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