Croatia has retained its position as the highest-ranked Balkan country in the 2025 Henley Passport Index, giving its citizens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 destinations worldwide, according to the latest report by global citizenship consultancy Henley & Partners.
The index, which ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa, places Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the middle of the global table, reflecting gradual but steady progress in regional mobility.
Balkan Rankings in 2025 Henley Passport Index
- Croatia: 8th place globally – 184 destinations
- Serbia: 36th – 137 destinations
- North Macedonia: 42nd – 129 destinations
- Montenegro: 43rd – 128 destinations
- Albania: 47th – 122 destinations
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: 47th – 122 destinations
The results show a continued convergence between Western Balkan countries and EU member states, as regional governments push for deeper integration with the European Union and greater freedom of movement for their citizens.
While Croatia, which joined the Schengen Area in 2023, has now surpassed older EU members such as Portugal and Sweden in passport strength, non-EU Balkan states continue to make incremental gains through new bilateral visa agreements and digital travel initiatives.
“Western Balkan nations are steadily improving their global mobility profiles, with more visa waivers and simplified travel arrangements than ever before,” Henley & Partners said in its analysis.
At the top of the global ranking, Singapore retained first place with access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189). Among European countries, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland remained in the top five, with visa-free access to 188 destinations.
Henley’s index, updated quarterly, draws on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and has been a key barometer of global mobility trends for two decades.
Analysts say improving passport strength across the Balkans is closely tied to economic stability, EU visa liberalisation processes, and post-pandemic recovery in international travel.
“While the region still trails far behind Western Europe, the trajectory is positive,” said a European mobility expert. “If EU accession processes accelerate, the next decade could see Western Balkan passports gaining unprecedented global reach.”
The full 2025 Henley Passport Index and detailed regional analysis are available on Henley & Partners’ official website.