If you hold a Maltese passport, you’re carrying one of the most powerful travel documents in the world! According to this year’s Nomad Passport Index (NPI), Malta has skyrocketed from 14th place to a joint 5th position, sharing the spot with Italy. This major leap in rankings is largely thanks to Malta’s non-domiciled tax regime, which has gained renewed global interest.
The Nomad Passport Index, published by Nomad Capitalist, doesn’t just look at how many countries you can visit visa-free (though that’s a big part of it!). Instead, it ranks passports based on a mix of factors:
- Visa-Free Travel (50%) – The more countries you can visit hassle-free, the better!
- Taxation of Citizens (20%) – How tax-friendly a country is for its passport holders.
- Perception (10%) – A passport’s global reputation (think: how welcome you are abroad).
- Dual Citizenship (10%) – How easy it is to hold multiple citizenships.
- Personal Freedom (10%) – Government policies on personal liberties and mobility.
The four countries that ranked higher than Malta this year are Ireland (that keeps vying for the number one spot with Switzerland), Switzerland, Greece and Portugal. You can check out the list in its entirety here.
A strong passport means greater travel freedom, easier access to global opportunities, and in Malta’s case, a favourable tax system that appeals to entrepreneurs and digital nomads. With a passport ranking this high, Malta continues to attract global citizens looking for a stable and well-connected base in the EU.
Do you hold any other passports featured on the list?