The world's most powerful passports

The definitive ranking of which passports open more doors around the world than any other.

Passport Source: AAP

What is the passport power ranking? It's a ranking that takes into account how many countries you can visit without applying for a visa, according to the passport you hold. Check it out how good your passport is compared to the rest of the world.

German citizens have the world's most powerful passport. The ranking has been realesed by Henley & Partners, a citizenship and planning firm. This year, Germany retained its position in the top spot, with visa-free access to 177 countries out of a total of 218, while Sweden remained in second place with a ranking of 176. A larger group of countries sit in third place, with Finland, France, Italy, Spain and the UK all having visa-free access to 175 countries.

The world's least powerful passport belongs to Afghanistan citizens, who can visit just 25 countries without a visa.

Visa restrictions are imposed by countries to control the crossing of their borders and almost all countries require visas from certain non-citizens who wish to enter or to leave their territory.

"Compared to the previous year, no country dropped more than three positions, indicating that overall, visa-free access is improving around the world" - Henley & Partners

Huge gains have been made by Tonga rising 16 spots, Palau by 20, Colombia by 25 and Timor-Leste being the highest climber with an increase of 33 ranks.

And what about Australia?

Source: http://visaindex.com/

Eighth spot for Australian passport holders with a visa-free access to 169 countries.

The world's most powerful passports

1. Germany, 177 countries can be visited without a visa

2. Sweden, 176

3. Finland, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, 175

4. Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, United States, 174

5. Austria, Japan, Singapore, 173

6. Canada, Ireland (Republic of), Korea (Republic of, South), Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, 172

7. Greece, New Zealand, 171

8. Australia, 169

9. Malta, 168

10. Hungary, Czech Republic, Iceland, 167

The world's least powerful passports

1. Afghanistan, 25 countries can be visited without a visa

2. Pakistan, 29

3. Iraq, 30

4. Somalia, 31

5. Syria, 32

6. Libya, 36

7. Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Nepal, Palestinian Territory, Sudan, 37

8. Kosovo, South Sudan, Yemen, 38

9. Bangladesh, Congo (Democratic Republic of), Lebanon, Sri Lanka, 39

10. Burundi, Korea (Democratic People's Republic of, North), Myanmar, 42

Check the latest interactive Visa Restrictions Index.