NOMAD PASSPORT INDEX

Greece consolidates its transformation from peripheral EU player to top‑tier contender, rising to No. 2 in the 2026 index. Building on the momentum of its special flat‑tax regime for new residents and pensioners, Greece now couples deep EU mobility with a much clearer, more accessible fiscal offer for globally mobile individuals. Over the past few years, it has become a regular feature in HNWI tax‑planning conversations, with its special regimes and lifestyle appeal attracting retirees, remote workers, and investors alike. While its tax and freedom scores are not perfect, Greece’s willingness to compete for talent and capital has pushed it to the front row of EU passports.

Ireland shares second place this year, remaining one of the most consistently strong passports in the world. A slight change in the competitive landscape nudged it off the very top, but Ireland’s fundamentals are unchanged: a long-standing remittance-basis regime for non-doms, high‑quality mobility, the right to live and work across the EU, and a unique ability for Irish citizens to live and work freely in the UK. Its common‑law system, English language, and reputation as a tech and finance hub keep it exceptionally attractive for internationally active entrepreneurs. Even as other countries refine their tax regimes, Ireland’s combination of access, institutions, and perception keeps it firmly anchored in the top tier.

Romania is the breakout story of the 2026 index, climbing into a tie for No. 2 after years as an underrated Eastern European option. A low 10% on personal income, EU and Schengen‑aligned mobility, and a fully open approach to dual citizenship have allowed Romania to close the gap with older Western European powers. For globally mobile individuals who value both cost efficiency and access, Romania now offers a compelling mix: an EU base with improving infrastructure and perception, plus a straightforward fiscal framework. Its rise underlines how quickly a country can move up the rankings when it pairs EU membership with a clear, competitive offer to foreign residents.

Cyprus holds its own near the very top, taking the No. 5 position in the 2026 Nomad Passport Index. The island combines full EU access and a realistic possibility of joining Schengen by the end of 2026, with a well‑established non‑dom framework, a relatively short route to tax residence, and broad acceptance of dual citizenship. For many investors and entrepreneurs, Cyprus offers a middle path between higher‑tax Western Europe and harsher non‑EU environments: familiar legal concepts, English widely used in business, and a flexible approach to foreign‑source income. In an increasingly competitive field, Cyprus’s focused regime keeps it just behind the very top cluster.

Bulgaria joins the front rank at No. 6, a clear sign of Central and Eastern Europe’s ascent in the global passport hierarchy. With a flat 10% income tax, EU mobility, and a generally permissive approach to dual citizenship, Bulgaria delivers a combination that is difficult to ignore for cost‑conscious HNWIs and entrepreneurs. Perception and institutional quality still trail those of the Nordics or Switzerland, but the value proposition is compelling: a full EU passport, low taxation, and improving infrastructure at a fraction of Western European costs. In this year’s index, that balance is enough to elevate Bulgaria into the top ten.

The Czech Republic also secures a place at No. 6, reflecting its long‑standing status as a quietly strong EU passport that has now been fully recognised by the market. It offers robust Schengen mobility, very high human‑development and governance scores, and full access to dual citizenship. While its tax system is more conventional than some of its regional peers, it remains relatively moderate by EU standards, and the overall package—stability, location in the heart of Europe, and strong perception—has proved increasingly attractive. The Czech Republic’s climb into the top tier shows how a solid, well‑run EU country can rise simply by being consistently competitive while others stumble.