Greece ranks higher than Australia in world's most powerful passports index

Japan tops the 2020 Henley Passport Index, with Greece and Australia both featuring in the top - 10 and Afghanistan ranked as the country with the least powerful passport.

Greek (L) and Australian passports. Source: Getty Source: Getty

The Henley Passport Index, which ranks the world's passports every year based on data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA), has recently released its list for 2020.

Passports are assessed on the basis of how "travel - friendly" they are, allowing holders to travel to places without a visa or with a visa issued on arrival.

Japan tops this year's list giving its citizens visa-free access to 191 destinations, closely followed by Singapore with 190 destinations.

Greece and Australia ranked 8th (184 destinations) and 9th (183 destinations) respectively on the list, meaning the Greek passport is considered more powerful than the Australian, albeit marginally.

Greek, Australian and Cypriot passports ranking. Source: Henley Passport Index Source: Henley Passport Index

Cyprus is placed 16th on the list, along with Chile, facilitating easy access for citizens to 174 countries.

The three countries with the least powerful passports are Afghanistan with 26 destinations visa-free, Iraq (28 destinations) and Syria (29 destinations).

Source: Henley Passport Index