Passports are an important part of international travel and global migration. They allow holders to cross international borders and provide proof of identity, citizenship and other details. With over 200 countries in the world, some passports are rarer than others. But which passports are the rarest and hardest to obtain? Here we explore some of the least common passports globally.
What makes a passport rare?
There are a few key factors that contribute to a passport’s rarity:
- The population of the issuing country – Smaller countries tend to have fewer passport holders
- Exclusivity of citizenship – Some countries have very strict citizenship requirements
- Limitations on dual citizenship – Some countries ban or restrict holding dual passports
- Travel freedom – Whether a passport provides easy global access or restricted travel
Overall, passports that are issued by very small countries with exclusive citizenship policies rank among the world’s rarest travel documents.
The top 10 rarest passports
Here are 10 of the least common passports worldwide based on the estimated number of holders:
| Country | Estimated Passport Holders |
|---|---|
| Tuvalu | 10,000 |
| Nauru | 13,000 |
| Palau | 15,000 |
| San Marino | 22,000 |
| Liechtenstein | 37,000 |
| Monaco | 38,000 |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 55,000 |
| Malta | 660,000 |
| Andorra | 84,000 |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 100,000 |
Tuvalu, a Polynesian island nation with a population of just 11,000, has the least common passport in the world with an estimated 10,000 holders. The similarly tiny South Pacific island countries of Nauru and Palau also rank among the top 3 rarest passports.
European microstates including San Marino, Liechtenstein and Monaco all have very exclusive citizenship criteria, contributing to low passport numbers. Meanwhile, small Caribbean nations like Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda have slightly more passport holders, but still rank among the global rarest.
Why are these passports so rare?
Here are some of the reasons why these countries have such few passport holders:
Tiny populations
Many of the rarest passport countries have populations under 100,000, some even below 20,000. With such tiny populaces, the number of citizens, and thereby passport holders, is very low.
Selective citizenship
These countries have very selective citizenship criteria, typically requiring ancestry, residency or high investment for citizenship. This restricts the pool of new citizens who can obtain a passport.
Ban on dual citizenship
Some rare passport countries like Tuvalu prohibit dual citizenship. Their citizens must renounce other nationalities when obtaining Tuvaluan citizenship, further limiting passport holders.
Low tourism appeal
Nations like Tuvalu and Nauru have little tourism infrastructure. This reduces visitor numbers who might otherwise seek citizenship or second passports.
High passport cost
Rare passports are expensive to obtain since citizenship costs are high. Tuvalu charges $15,000-$50,000 for citizenship, restricting applicants.
Together these factors of tiny populations, exclusivity, dual citizenship bans and high costs contribute to the lowest passport numbers globally.
The power of rare passports
While rare, these passports offer some powerful benefits:
Exclusive citizenship
Citizens of microstates belong to an exclusive club, with citizenship difficult to obtain.
Prestige
Rare passports are status symbols, representing an elite level of exclusivity and privilege.
Global mobility
Despite rarity, these passports often allow visa-free travel to 100-200 countries due to diplomatic ties.
Tax benefits
Some microstates levy minimal taxes on citizens, offering offshore financial advantages.
Secluded safety
Holders gain access to remote, safe havens with minimal COVID-19 exposure.
So while hard to obtain, rare passports convey great exclusivity, mobility and advantages for holders.
The rarest passports in Europe
Within Europe, the microstates of Liechtenstein, San Marino and Monaco issue the rarest EU passports due to selective citizenship and tiny populations under 40,000. The Holy See (Vatican) also issues extremely rare passports to only 450 holders.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein has the most rare passport among European countries, with an estimated population of 38,000 and stringent citizenship requirements. Passports are issued mainly based on ancestry and historical ties to the ruling family. Naturalization requires residence of at least 30 years.
San Marino
Only about 22,000 passports have been issued by San Marino, a landlocked microstate surrounded entirely by Italy. Long residency of 30-50 years is required for naturalization due to the exclusivity of its passport.
Monaco
Monaco similarly issues rare passports to a population under 40,000. Citizenship is only granted after 10+ years residency and renunciation of other nationalities is required. Wealthy individuals may expedite citizenship by investing over $1 million.
Vatican City
The rarest passport in Europe is issued by the Holy See. With a resident population of only 450, almost exclusively senior clergy, Vatican passports number less than 1,000 globally.
These European microstates have maintained exclusive citizenship policies resulting in some of the world’s most uncommon passports and greatest international prestige.
The rarest passports outside Europe
Beyond Europe, island nations in the Pacific and Caribbean issue some of the world’s rarest passports. Here are some of the least common from these regions:
Tuvalu
Tuvalu has the world’s scarcest passport with only 10,000 holders. Its remote Pacific location and ban on dual nationality restrict citizenship. Residency of 15+ years is required for naturalization.
Nauru
Similarly Nauru, the world’s smallest republic, has only around 13,000 passport holders. Its isolated island location and very high visa feesdeter visitors from citizenship.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis issues around 55,000 passports, among the rarest globally. While the country sells citizenship to fund its economy, requirements are still strict compared to larger Caribbean islands.
Palau
The Pacific island nation of Palau has under 20,000 passport holders due to its tiny population and ban on dual citizenship. Applicants must reside locally for at least 10 years before qualifying.
These remote island nations combine exclusive citizenship policies and geographic isolation to produce some of the world’s rarest passports.
The most powerful rare passports
| Country | Passport Power Score |
|---|---|
| Malta | 174 |
| Liechtenstein | 171 |
| Monaco | 169 |
| San Marino | 166 |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 156 |
While scarce, the rarest passports often confer great travel freedom through visa waivers. Malta, Liechtenstein and Monaco rank near the top globally in terms of passport power and cross-border access.
Advanced economies like Malta and Liechtenstein enjoy visa-free entry to over 170 countries each. Meanwhile, Caribbean countries like Saint Kitts and Nevis have forged diplomatic ties worldwide, with visa-free access to 156 destinations despite rarity.
So the rarest passports combine exclusivity with surprising mobility and power for travelers.
The least powerful rare passports
| Country | Passport Power Score |
|---|---|
| Tuvalu | 41 |
| Kiribati | 52 |
| Nauru | 54 |
| Marshall Islands | 57 |
| Palau | 67 |
However some rare passports offer limited travel freedom due to the isolation or underdevelopment of their home countries.
Tuvalu has the least powerful passport among the rarest, with visa-free access to only 41 countries. Nearby Pacific island nations like Kiribati and Nauru face similar limitations.
While providing the prestige of rarity, these passports confer constrained mobility and access compared to European or Caribbean counterparts.
Conclusion
In summary, the world’s rarest passports belong to microstate countries with tiny populations, exclusive citizenship criteria, and geographic isolation. European states like Liechtenstein and San Marino issue some of the most exclusive passports with stringent requirements. Among the top 10 globally are island nations like Tuvalu and Palau with very small populaces.
While hard to obtain, rare passports offer prestige and advantages like tax benefits and global mobility. Advanced economies like Malta and Liechtenstein provide visa-free access to over 170 countries each despite having relatively few passport holders. However limitations exist too, with some rare passports like Tuvalu providing constrained travel freedom.
Overall, the rarest passports combine exclusivity and prestige with surprising power and mobility for their holders.