The Quality of Nationality Index (QNI) from global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners has placed France in pole position with a score of 81.7 per cent, marginally ahead of Germany, which was knocked off the top spot for the first time in seven years, with a score of 81.6 per cent. Apparently, France has a “comparative advantage because its citizens enjoy greater Settlement Freedom as a result of its former colonial empire”.
The UK, meanwhile, has dropped to 13th place, failing to secure a spot in the top ten, while the US climbed just two positions to 27th place. According to the report, the US’s poor performance is “primarily due to its low Settlement Freedom compared to EU member states”. It has still done better than New Zealand, though, in 31st place, Australia in 32nd and Canada in 33rd.
Dimitry Kochenov, a leading constitutional and citizenship law professor and co-creator of the Index, says the QNI’s combined methodology produces a clear and objective account of what our nationalities can do for us within the borders of our home country and of where they can take us abroad.
Further down the index, China has climbed two places to 59th position, while Russia remains in 63rd place. This year, the UAE overtook Israel for the first time ever, now ranking 46th, with Israel in 48th position. The Emirati nationality has jumped 13 places over the past five years, making a significant leap when its holders secured visa-free travel access to the Schengen Area.
Among the worst nationalities in the world are Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and South Sudan.