Without a doubt, passports are powerful documents. But if you look past their utility, you’ll discover tiny, beautiful secrets you never knew existed. Designers from all over the world have transformed boring old legal documents into innovative, exciting works of art that represent the best of a destination. The following are the top ten most beautiful passports in the world.
1. Norway
When you flip through the Norwegian passport, you’ll notice everything from fjords and mountains to lakes, rivers, and forests. These pages come to life with vivid holographic images of the night skies and the Northern Lights when exposed to ultraviolet light. In 2020, the passport received a facelift, with a new design by Neue Design Studio. “We want to show the contrasts in landscapes and climates that have shaped us, offered opportunities and resources, places for recreation, and the scenes of important historical events using illustrations of single parts of a wide Norwegian panorama, from north to south,” the studio says of the design on their official website.
2. Finland
A moose strutted through the pages of the Finnish passport for a long time. Finland’s burgundy passport, designed as a flipbook by the Thales group, showcases the best of Scandinavian design. Finland is known for its beautiful natural landscapes, conservation and sustainability efforts, and wildlife diversity. In 2017, the moose was replaced with images of snowflakes, Lapland scenes, and other traditional symbols of a Finnish winter.
3. New Zealand
New Zealand is not only one of the most powerful passports in the world, but it is also one of the most beautiful. The silver letterings and illustrations stand out against the black background. Closer inspection reveals silver ferns along the side, a plant found only in New Zealand and revered as a symbol of strength and endurance. Cricket fans may recognize the symbol because it appears prominently on the jerseys of the country’s cricket team.
4. United Kingdom
According to the Henley Passport Index, a UK passport provides visa-free access to 187 countries and is one of the ten most powerful passports in the world. Along with the royal coat of arms on the cover, the British passport features images of some of the country’s most well-known landmarks, including the London Eye, Shakespeare’s Globe, the Houses of Parliament, and even the London Underground. Until 1988, UK passports were blue, but they were later changed to burgundy to match the rest of Europe’s passports. Following Brexit, the passports were re-colored blue.
5. Canada
The Royal Coat of Arms of Canada is embossed on Canada’s navy blue passport, which is printed in two languages: English and French. When you open it and place it under a UV light, you can see several of Canada’s national treasures in bright neon, from their signature maple leaves to the iconic Niagara Falls. These holographic images, in addition to being aesthetically pleasing, protect against fraud because they are difficult to replicate.
6. Belgium
In January 2022, the Belgian passport was redesigned. While the burgundy cover features the country’s traditional gilded crest and embossed outline, the pages inside are more playful. Previously, illustrations of famous landmarks adorned the pages; now, they are replaced by popular characters from famous Belgian comic strips. So don’t be surprised if you run into TinTin or the Smurfs.
7. Australia
Embossed at the centre of Australia’s blue passport is the Commonwealth Coat of Arms, which depicts two of Australia’s beloved native animals: the kangaroo and the emu, each supporting a shield that represents the country’s six states. Australia is the first country to use 3M™ Colour Floating Image technology in their passports. Tilt the pages at a certain angle under a UV light and the stylised images of the kangaroos appear to jump off the page.
8. Philippines
The Philippines’ e-passport opens to a striking illustration of the Philippine eagle, while the rest of the pages contain illustrations of national symbols, cultural landmarks and lyrics of the national anthem. Inside, you will find breathtaking sights of the Chocolate Hills, Mayon Volcano and the Banaue Rice Terraces—one reason after the other to explore the beautiful country.
9. Indonesia
While most countries showcase famous landmarks, Indonesia places the spotlight on natural wonders and wildlife—from the crater lakes of Mount Kelimutu, to the fierce Komodo dragon. It’s no wonder that the Emerald of the Equator chooses to highlight the best of its natural beauty on its passport.
10. Japan
Declared the most powerful passport in the world in 2023, the Japanese passport allows its holders visa-free access to a whopping 193 countries. The cover art is simple, with a gold flower on a red background. It’s also not a cherry blossom. Instead, the cover shows a chrysanthemum—a symbol for autumn, harvest, nobility and the Japanese nation. Historically, the Japanese Imperial family was known as the “Chrysanthemum Throne”, and a stylised chrysanthemum blossom formed the Imperial crest. Though not as popular worldwide as the sakura, this flower continues to represent the Japanese monarchy even today.