Did you know that the world’s most expensive passport belongs to the European country of Liechtenstein, at $444 for a 10-year document?

The Liechtenstein passport is currently ranked 11th place on the Guide Passport Index. It provides visa-free access to 183 countries. This makes it one of the most desirable passports in the world with a very high mobility score. 

Liechtenstein is bordered by Switzerland to the west and south and Austria to the east and north. It is Europe's fourth-smallest country, with an area of just over 160 square kilometres (62 square miles) and a population of 38,749 (as of 2019). The country is divided into 11 municipalities. Its capital is Vaduz, and its largest municipality is Schaan. It is also the smallest country to border two countries.

Economically, Liechtenstein has one of the highest gross domestic products per person in the world when adjusted for purchasing power parity. The country has a strong financial sector centred in Vaduz. It was once known as a billionaire tax haven, but is no longer on any official blacklists of uncooperative tax haven countries. An Alpine country, Liechtenstein is mountainous, making it a winter sport destination.

Liechtenstein is a member of the United Nations, the European Free Trade Association, and the Council of Europe. It is not a member of the European Union, but it participates in both the Schengen Area and the European Economic Area. It has a customs union and a monetary union with Switzerland.

Liechtenstein had the most expensive passports in the world as of July 2023, with a cost of above 260 U.S. dollars. The European country was followed by Australia, which passport cost around 218 U.S. dollars.

Australian travellers have the unenviable claim to the world’s second most expensive passport, at AU$325 for a 10-year book. This price is now set to increase further, next year (2024). In July 2024 the cost of an Australian travel document will rise 15 per cent to AU$373.75 for an adult passport. That’s around NZ$400 and 30 per cent more expensive than the next dearest travel document which belongs to Mexico, at $266 per book. By comparison, the New Zealand Passport is forecast to increase 3.5 per cent next year, after an increase from $199 to $206 in May.

Liechtenstein passport holders have visa-free and visa on arrival access to countries such as Brazil, Japan, United Kingdom, United States and the entire European Union allowing almost instant travel worldwide. Liechtenstein passport holders do however require a visa to enter about 46 destinations in the world for destinations such as China, India and Russia.

Liechtenstein passports are issued to nationals of Liechtenstein for the purpose of international travel. Beside serving as proof of Liechtenstein citizenship, they facilitate the process of securing assistance from Liechtenstein consular officials abroad (or missions of Switzerland in case a Liechtenstein representation is not available).

The passport, along with the Liechtenstein identity card allows for the freedom of movement in any of the states of European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and the European Economic Area (EEA). This is because Liechtenstein is a member state of EFTA, and by virtue of it also being a member of the EEA and part of the Schengen Area. Citizens of Liechtenstein are allowed to reside in Switzerland. Additionally, as a member of the EEA, citizens of Liechtenstein are permitted to take up residence in any EEA member state.

Citizens of EEA member states, which consist of the European Union and three of the four EFTA states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) enjoy the freedom to travel and work in any EEA country without a visa, although transitory dispositions may restrict the rights of citizens of new member states to work in other countries.

Source: NZ Herald | Wikipedia | Visa Index

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