The world’s best designed passports

Clockwise from top left: Switzerland, Australia, Libya, Brazil

Switzerland: Passport or design agency brochure? 

Thanks to the four language groups within its borders, Switzerland’s multi-lingual inclusivity is demonstrated on the cover of its passport, with the words “Swiss passport” written in all of the country’s languages (German, French, Italian and Romansh – plus English). A tasteful Swiss cross completes the cover, while the country’s Cantons are represented inside through depiction of their coats of arms. Anthony Teasdale

Australia: For the world’s best travellers, a mix of the exotic and traditional passes muster 

At first glance, the Aussie passport has an orthodox, embossed ‘coat of arms on a blue background’ design, but up close, the emu and kangaroo that flank the shield show we’re dealing with something out of the ordinary. While some holders think the design is a little “busy”, we say it sums up the dichotomy of Australia’s dual Western/Asian identity perfectly. Anthony Teasdale

“Flamboyant and innovative – welcome to the new age of passports”

Libya: Striking design from the troubled nation’s pre-revolution era

Libya’s passport is overdue an update, with the current version being a relic of the now-toppled Gaddafi regime. Featuring beautiful Arabic typography and a prominent ‘Hawk of Quraish’ crest set in gold against the green of the national flag, it reminds us that creativity can still flourish even under the most difficult of circumstances. Matt Reynolds

Brazil: Flamboyant and innovative – welcome to the new age of passports

The new Brazilian passport is a dream for the aesthetically-minded. As previously, citizens can travel passport-free in South America, but when they leave the country they’ll be carrying a passport that announces Brazil’s membership of the Mercosur trading bloc on the cover (hence the five stars). The new blue colour is a winner, too. Anthony Teasdale

Clockwise from top left: Norway, Japan, Vatican City, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Norway: Best designed passport in the world? 

After winning a national competition last year, Oslo-based design studio Neue delivered a document that captures the country’s love of minimalism. Outside, the white, turquoise or red covers feature a modernised version of the national crest. Inside, fine lines and pastel shades replicate Nordic scenery. Best of all, when the pages are shone under UV light, they reveal the twinkling Northern Lights. Elliott Lewis-George

Japan: Modest beauty from the east

Embossed with the Imperial Seal of Japan, this version is valid for ten years of travel. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is considering a redesign of the pages before the Tokyo Olympics – swapping the cherry blossoms for motifs of famous Japanese landmarks (and, we hope, references to both the Bullet Train and the looms of its famous denim weavers). Elliott Lewis-George

“Best of all, when the pages are shone under UV light, they reveal the twinkling Northern Lights”

Vatican City: Heavenly power whispered quietly

The smallest country in the world has some serious clout – not surprising when its top man has a direct line to God. Available to its 800 citizens – and held by about 450 – the passport enables holders to gain entry into 117 countries. Sadly, Pope Francis has decided to forgo his, and travels the world on his less tasteful Argentine one – God might forgive him for this, but we won’t. Anthony Teasdale

Bosnia and Herzegovina: New – and very smart – kid on the bloc

The biometric passport of Bosnia is a relatively new form of documentation for this bureaucratic nation. In all, 162 different internal institutions are involved in issuing each one. This red tape nearly led to U2’s Bono being stripped of his honorary passport after the government felt it was granted illegally. Elliott Lewis-George

Clockwise from top left: Gabon, Ethiopia, Solomon Islands, Finland

Gabon: A topless front cover for this African nation

Obviously, what’s most striking about this passport cover is that it doesn’t include the former French state’s national flag or coat of arms but a topless woman holding a child. We had a Google around to see what this signifies and there isn’t a clear consensus. All we do know is that the female form is a thing of beauty and so is this passport. Elliott Lewis-George

Ethiopia: Following the star won’t get you very far

The Ethiopian passport certainly catches the eye thanks to the star embossed on the burgundy cover, which signifies the unity between the nation’s people. However, although it looks eye-catching, an Ethiopian passport will only grant you access into 38 countries without a visa. We say, stick a pic of rastaman Peter Tosh on the front and change the colours to red, green and yellow instead. Elliott Lewis-George

“We say, stick a pic of rastaman Peter Tosh on the front and change the colours to red, green and yellow instead”

Solomon Islands: Island nation wins the wooden spoon

Its beautifully designed coat of arms features all kinds of cool/deadly creatures native to the country as well as a stylised sun that wouldn’t look out of place on a Vitalite advert. Despite this, the passport of the Solomon Islands is the least ‘powerful’ in the world, allowing access to just 28 countries (compared with the UK’s mighty 147) without an advance visa. Where did it all go wrong? Matt Reynolds

Finland: Open up for a fun little secret inside 

Everyone – OK, just us – loves a good coat of arms, and the one on the front of the Finnish passport is a cracker. Enlarged from 2012 onwards, the shield features a rampant lion carrying a sword while standing on – you guessed it – a cutlass. But best of all is the fact that if you flick the pages of the passport quickly you get a page-turning animation of a moose walking about. What a world we live in. Anthony Teasdale