German citizens possess the world's most powerful passport, according to an annual study, with Britain and the US falling just short of the top spot. The ranking by Henley & Partners, a citizenship and planning firm, takes into account how many countries can be visited without applying for a visa. German passport holders can travel to 177, out of a possible 218, while Britons can visit 175 and US citizens 174.

The world's most powerful passports

1. Germany, 177 countries can be visited without a visa.

2. Sweden, 176

3. Finland, France, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, 175

4. Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, United States, 174

5. Austria, Japan, Singapore, 173

6. Canada, Ireland (Republic of), Korea (Republic of, South), Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Switzerland, 172

7. Greece, New Zealand, 171

8. Australia, 169

9. Malta, 168

10. Hungary, Czech Republic, Iceland, 167