Henley & Partners’ 2026 Passport Index, released on 13 January, puts Switzerland in a five-way tie for third place, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 186 destinations worldwide—two more than last year. Only Singapore (192) and the pairing of Japan and South Korea (188) rank higher. The jump cements Switzerland’s position as one of the world’s most mobile nationalities and bolsters the country’s value proposition for executives seeking naturalisation through the highly skilled C-permit track.(henleyglobal.com)
For globally mobile companies, a top-tier Swiss passport simplifies project staffing: employees who secure naturalisation after 10 years’ residence can be dispatched to 90 percent of the globe without advance visas, cutting lead times and costs. The ranking also strengthens the hand of Swiss multinationals when negotiating short-notice postings in emerging markets that accept visa-on-arrival from high-score passports.(henleyglobal.com)
![Switzerland’s passport climbs to joint-3rd in Henley Passport Index 2026]()
Whether you’re a multinational HR manager arranging staff travel or an entrepreneur planning a market-entry tour, VisaHQ’s Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) streamlines the process of confirming visa requirements, submitting applications and tracking approvals for the handful of destinations that still require paperwork—saving time even for holders of the world’s most powerful passports.
The report warns, however, of a widening “mobility gap”: while advanced economies expand their visa-free horizons, lower-income states remain stuck at around 40 destinations. Switzerland’s openness is reciprocal—its own entry regime remains one of Europe’s most permissive, with only 62 countries needing full visas for short stays. That balance supports key sectors such as pharma and fintech, which rely on visiting R&D teams and investors.
Employers should note that the powerful passport does not override work-permit quotas. Non-EU/EFTA nationals on Swiss payrolls still fall under annual ceilings, though naturalised staff enjoy the same unlimited labour-market access as native citizens. The index’s spotlight on mobility privilege may spur further debate in Bern over dual-citizenship rules and the integration path for long-term residents.(henleyglobal.com)
For globally mobile companies, a top-tier Swiss passport simplifies project staffing: employees who secure naturalisation after 10 years’ residence can be dispatched to 90 percent of the globe without advance visas, cutting lead times and costs. The ranking also strengthens the hand of Swiss multinationals when negotiating short-notice postings in emerging markets that accept visa-on-arrival from high-score passports.(henleyglobal.com)
Whether you’re a multinational HR manager arranging staff travel or an entrepreneur planning a market-entry tour, VisaHQ’s Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) streamlines the process of confirming visa requirements, submitting applications and tracking approvals for the handful of destinations that still require paperwork—saving time even for holders of the world’s most powerful passports.
The report warns, however, of a widening “mobility gap”: while advanced economies expand their visa-free horizons, lower-income states remain stuck at around 40 destinations. Switzerland’s openness is reciprocal—its own entry regime remains one of Europe’s most permissive, with only 62 countries needing full visas for short stays. That balance supports key sectors such as pharma and fintech, which rely on visiting R&D teams and investors.
Employers should note that the powerful passport does not override work-permit quotas. Non-EU/EFTA nationals on Swiss payrolls still fall under annual ceilings, though naturalised staff enjoy the same unlimited labour-market access as native citizens. The index’s spotlight on mobility privilege may spur further debate in Bern over dual-citizenship rules and the integration path for long-term residents.(henleyglobal.com)
