What is the most expensive currency? Ranking of the world's currencies and the most powerful passports (January 2026)

Interesting question - does the country with the most expensive currency also have the most powerful passport? It turns out that it’s not the same country at all. Below, we present the current rankings of world currencies and passports that offer their holders the greatest freedom of travel.

Currencies with the Highest Value in the World

When it comes to which is the most expensive currency on the international market, the answer is not as obvious as it seems. The strongest currencies in the world mainly represent countries with stable economies and high standards of living.

Here are 15 countries with the highest-valued currencies:

Top (Positions 1-5):

• Kuwait - Kuwaiti Dinar (KWD)
• Bahrain - Bahraini Dinar (BHD)
• Oman - Omani Rial (OMR)
• Jordan - Jordanian Dinar (JOD)
• United Kingdom - Pound Sterling (GBP)

Next leaders (Positions 6-10):

• Gibraltar - Gibraltar Pound (GIP)
• Cayman Islands - Cayman Islands Dollar (KYD)
• Switzerland - Swiss Franc (CHF)
• Eurozone - Euro (EUR)
• United States - US Dollar (USD)

Further positions (Positions 11-15):

• Bahamas - Bahamian Dollar (BSD)
• Bermuda - Bermudian Dollar (BMD)
• Canada - Canadian Dollar (CAD)
• Singapore - Singapore Dollar (SGD)
• Brunei - Brunei Dollar (BND)

How Is the Currency Ranking Determined?

The most valuable currencies are those with the greatest purchasing power and highest stability on international markets. The ranking is primarily based on the exchange rate to the US dollar and the economic condition of the respective country.

The Most Powerful Passports - Top 15 List

While the most expensive currency comes from the Middle East, the most powerful passport belongs to countries in Asia and Europe. The passport ranking is based on the number of destinations that holders can visit without prior visa approval.

Triumvirates (Positions 1-3):

• Singapore
• South Korea
• Japan

European and Asian Powers (Positions 4-7):

• Germany, Spain, Italy, France
• Sweden, Netherlands, Finland
• Austria, Denmark, United Kingdom, Luxembourg
• Belgium, Switzerland, Norway

Oceania and Transatlantic Block (Positions 8-10):

• Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Malta
• Australia, New Zealand, Canada
• United Arab Emirates, United States

European Countries Dominate Travel Mobility

In the lower positions of the ranking (11-15), mainly countries from Central and Eastern Europe and Asia are found:

• Hungary, Poland
• Czech Republic, Iceland
• Slovakia, Lithuania
• Estonia, Latvia
• Slovenia, Malaysia

Fun fact: the most expensive currency (Kuwaiti Dinar) does not provide as broad access to global destinations as the passports of Western and Asian countries. This shows that the strength of a currency and travel mobility are two completely different dimensions of a country’s international development.