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Ireland appears in fourth place in the ranking of the most powerful in the world passports. The first place is occupied by Finland, Sweden and the UK, which allows access to 173 countries while the Irish passport does 170 countries. Canada, France, Japan, Norway, Portugal and Spain go along with it.
Rosie Spinks designed the original map for GOOD Magazine and then MoveHub proceeded to adapt it. The map shows the power that the passport of each country has in terms of visa-free access to the same or receives a visa upon arrival.
Curiously, on the official website we can read: “It might surprise you to know that the” leaders of the free world “- USA-really are not the freest in the world. At least within passports “. However, the U.S. are above Ireland in the ranking, to allow access to 172 countries.
It’s worth mentioning, the privilege afforded to members of the Schengen Area, a group of countries in Europe where there is no systematic internal monitoring among its members. The citizens of the 22 member countries of the European Union can move freely without a passport for this area. However, not all EU countries are members of the Schengen Area, as is the case in the UK and Ireland, but they signed a treaty allowing free movement of European citizens.
For citizens of countries outside the European Union wishing to travel to Ireland, you should note that they may need to be in possession of visas and their processing can take more than a month. On the Irish Embassy website all necessary information on passports and visas for travel to Ireland can be found.
Also some establishments such as pubs and supermarkets selling alcohol may require you to show your passport. For example, Tesco checkers prefer that you show your passport instead of your ID Card in order to check your age when you buy alcohol. It is useful to remember this during the weekend when you are out and about!