The latest Henley Passport Index shows a new Iron Curtain forming

Denmark remains among the top performers, while Ukraine and Russia have taken great leaps in opposite directions

Six weeks after the war in Ukraine started, Henley & Partners has released the results of its latest Passport Index.

The impact of the conflict on travel freedom and mobility has been more important than first imagined.

With millions of Ukrainians fleeing their home, Europe is witnessing its worst refugee crisis since World War II.

But where it became easier for Ukrainians to cross borders – thanks to the EU emergency plan that allows them to live and work in any of the 27 member states – it has become much more difficult for Russians.

Changing scores
With all the traveling restrictions and bans against Russia, the country’s passport has lost its value.

Today it ranks 49th with a score of 117. This means that someone with a Russian passport can enter 117 counties without needing a visa before traveling.

On the other hand, Ukraine’s current visa-free/visa-on-arrival score is 143 – a record high for the country which now ranks 34th on the index. That’s 26 places higher compared to 2012.

The gap between the two countries is likely to widen as the conflict continues.

 “As the value of the Russian passport rapidly declines and the world opens its doors to Ukrainians, it is abundantly clear that the passport you hold determines your fate and dramatically impacts the opportunities you have,” said Dr Christian H Kaelin, the chairman of Henley & Partners.

“While it is impossible to predict what the world will look like in the shadow of a new Cold War, the latest index suggests that the divide between Russia and much of the Western world will only increase.”

The best passport to have
The top spots in the rankings are still held by Japan and Singapore. Both countries have a score of 192 when not considering temporary COVID-19 restrictions.

Germany and South Korea are second, with a score of 190. The top three is completed with Finland, Italy, Luxembourg, and Spain in with scores of 189.

The Danish passport is just behind in fourth place with a score of 188.




  • Enter Christiania: how the Freetown works

    Enter Christiania: how the Freetown works

    We all know Christiania and have been there at least once. But how does the Freetown work? How are decisions made? Can a person move there? Is there rent or bills to pay? British journalist Dave Wood wrote a reportage on Christiania for The Copenhagen Post.

  • The struggles of Asian women in Denmark’s labour market

    The struggles of Asian women in Denmark’s labour market

    Isha Thapa unfolds her research “An Analysis on the Inclusivity and Integration of South Asian Women in High-Skilled Jobs within the Danish Labor Market”. Thapa describes the systemic and social challenges these women face, ranging from barriers in social capital to cultural integration.

  • Parents in Denmark reject social media monitoring 

    Parents in Denmark reject social media monitoring 

    Most parents in Denmark reject using social media parental controls despite knowing about them. A new study questions the effectiveness of these tools in ensuring children’s online safety.

  • Analysis: we need a different education system for international children in Denmark

    Analysis: we need a different education system for international children in Denmark

    Data analyst Kelly Draper Rasmussen highlights that Denmark sees peaks in international migration during early childhood and high school years. However, with only one international education option, many families are forced to leave to secure different opportunities for their children.

  • Danish Refugee Council to lay off up to 2,000 staff

    Danish Refugee Council to lay off up to 2,000 staff

    After the anticipation from The Copenhagen Post, a press release by DRC has confirmed the plan to lay off thousands of employees in response to the recent halt of foreign aid spending by the Trump administration.

  • Ironic campaign to make California Danish is going viral

    Ironic campaign to make California Danish is going viral

    An ironic political campaign launched by a website called Denmarkification is getting tens of thousands of supporters. Among their testimonials are HCH, Viggo Mortensen, Lars Ulrich, and Margrethe III (Yes, you read that right)