The latest 2018 edition of the Passport Index, compiled by the London-based Henley & Partners consultancy firm, ranked Croatia's passport 16th in the world, its highest ranking since the index was created in 2006.

The global rankings, measuring freedom of travel for passport-holders in terms of visa-free access to other countries, were topped this year by Japan and Singapore, who shared first place with both countries’ citizens able to travel 189 other countries without a visa.

They were followed by Germany, with 188 countries, and the third sport was shared by seven countries (Finland, France, Italy, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, and Denmark) whose nationals can travel visa-free to 187 countries.

Croatia placed 16th in the 2018 rankings, up from 21st in 2017 and the highest ranking in the twelve years that the rankings have been compiled. Sharing the spot with Bulgaria, Hong Kong, and Romania, Croatian nationals can travel to 169 countries with no visa restrictions.

As for other countries in the region, Slovenia placed 9th, Serbia 36th, Macedonia 40th, Montenegro 42nd, Bosnia and Herzegovina 46th, and Kosovo 93rd.

Iraq and Afghanistan were placed rock bottom of the list, coming in 102nd, with both countries’ nationals only having access to 30 countries without a visa. The entire list can be viewed and searched on the Passport Index website.

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