The Most Beautiful Passports in the World

Bahrain’s passport is a visual journey through time and space. While having recognizable Middle East vibes with a galloping horse and a falcon, it has its own unparalleled style.

The Bahraini passport pays homage to its history as a pearl trading hub and showcases the country’s modern achievements, such as the oil derricks that have eventually replaced those pearl divers.

The center spread is illustrated by the Bab Al Bahrain, a historical building and monument that serves as the entrance to the Manama souq (marketplace).

But there’s more to discover within these pages. What we especially loved about the design is its gentle celestial touch.

The UV visa pages reveal important astronomical features visible from the territory of Bahrain: the Aquarius and Pisces constellations, highlighting the Sadalsuud, Al Rescha, and the Canopus stars, symbolizing the country’s connection to the cosmos.

Belgium’s passport made it into the list of the most beautiful passports by the team’s unanimous decision as a celebration of art and modern design. Each page within tells a story, showcasing famous Belgian comic strip characters: Tintin, Smurfs, Lucky Luke, Spirou and Fantasio, Largo Winch, and others.

Beyond their artistic charm, these unique illustrations are a robust security measure. Designs with meticulous hard-to-replicate details naturally deter forgery. Under UV light, the passport’s images reveal plenty of easter eggs that exemplify the nation’s culture, humor, and distinct pride in a truly unparalleled travel document. And after all, who doesn’t like Smurfs?

You can see all the pages in the official video published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium:

Estonia’s passport design is a mesmerizing tribute to the nation’s natural heritage that paints a vivid picture of the country’s connection to its flora and fauna. The illustrations feature national symbols that hold deep significance in Estonia, including the wolf, the swallow, and the mighty oak tree.

We decided to include the Estonian passport in our list of the most beautiful passports because it not only demonstrates their national symbols, but does it with good taste. Every element is in harmony with the others, creating a full-fledged work of art among passports.

Although the Finnish passport is pretty nice in general, there was a single detail that made all the difference and brought it to the list: a cute animated seal.

The new design was inspired by the Finnish Archipelago Sea, which takes center stage in the new passport. As you flip through its pages, you’ll embark on a journey through this mesmerizing nature wonderland, enjoying pristine islands, serene waters, and the changing seasons.

Hong Kong’s passport reflects the city’s unique blend of old-world traditions and futuristic skyline, showcasing the harmony between the past and present. Each page invites you to explore the vibrant culture of this metropolis.

We love the creativity of the designers, who used bright colors that create a full-page panoramic view that combines contemporary architecture with traditional bauhinia flowers and flying butterflies.

The newest edition of the Latvian passport marks a remarkable transformation from its forerunner, which paid homage to the revered Nationwide Latvian Song and Dance Festival. This iteration derives its aesthetic from the natural Latvian landscape, promising a visual journey across the country.

Each page of the passport reveals a unique design, thanks to the masterful integration of photographs by Andris Eglītis. These images go beyond mere decoration; they are skillfully interwoven into the passport’s framework to enhance depth, context, and, notably, security.

Cranes, chosen as the passport’s unifying motif, elegantly symbolize departure and return. This theme resonates with the passport’s core function as a companion in travel, marking beginnings and ends of journeys, much like the migratory patterns of these birds.

Macao, often referred to as the “Las Vegas of Asia,” is a special administrative region of China that seamlessly blends Chinese and Portuguese influences. It has a passport to match!

While the Macanese passport shares some visual elements with the Hong Kong passport, Macao’s document transforms them into colorful panoramas that are distinctly Macanese, thus deserving its place on our list of the most beautiful passports.

The New Zealand passport is a visual tribute to the nation’s rich history of exploration. Adorned with artwork that celebrates the early explorers who first navigated New Zealand’s shores, it invites us to follow in their footsteps, tracing a journey from the northern reaches to the southern landscapes.

The passport elegantly incorporates indigenous symbols into its design, featuring the iconic fern leaf and intricate Maori patterns. These elements pay homage to New Zealand’s culture and heritage, adding a layer of cultural richness to the document.

Alongside these traditional symbols, the passport features a chronological progression of navigation tools used throughout the ages. From the early sextants to the latest cutting-edge instruments, they serve as a reminder of the country’s rich history of exploration and discovery.

Sweden’s passport embraces the Scandinavian ethos of clean, minimalist design. Inside, you’ll find illustrations of Swedish culture and landscapes, reflecting the nation’s understated elegance.

The passport employs a poignant symbol—migratory birds—to encapsulate the fundamental human right of free movement. These avian wanderers represent human mobility, gracefully traversing the nation’s borders through air, water, or on foot, much like the people they symbolize. This design element underscores Sweden’s commitment to the principles of freedom and open horizons.