Bulgarian passport ranks just behind America's in global index

Bulgaria's passport now sits at 11th place globally, according to the latest Henley Passport Index, sharing that ranking with Romania and covering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 178 countries. That puts it one place below the United States, whose passport ranks 10th with access to 180 destinations.

The Henley Passport Index has tracked passport strength for 20 years using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It measures how many countries a passport holder can enter without applying for a visa in advance.

From 29th to 11th: Bulgaria's climb up the rankings

Both Dariknews and Mediapool report that the Bulgarian passport was at its weakest in 2006, occupying 29th place. Two decades later, it has climbed nearly 20 positions. EU membership, Schengen accession, and a gradual expansion of bilateral visa-waiver agreements have all contributed to the rise.

Singapore leads the current ranking, with passport holders able to enter 193 countries without a prior visa. South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Japan share second place at 188 countries, while Sweden ranks third with access to 187 destinations.

What this means for the Bulgarian diaspora

For the estimated one million or more Bulgarians living abroad, passport strength has practical consequences. It shapes how easily someone can visit family from a third country, conduct business across continents, or travel during annual leave without weeks of visa paperwork. At 11th place, most popular destinations from the Americas to Southeast Asia are reachable with minimal bureaucratic friction.

There is also a notable detail for Bulgarians following the American passport: Mediapool reports that the US document has slipped to its lowest-ever position in the index's history, even though the number of visa-free destinations it covers has not decreased compared to last year. The American passport's relative decline reflects other countries, Bulgaria among them, closing the gap rather than Washington losing access.

The difference between the two documents is now two countries. Bulgaria ranked 29th as recently as 2006.