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The best passports to hold in 2023 have been revealed in a new global index.

While Luxembourg was considered the country with the most powerful passport for the last two years in a row - this year's highest-ranking visa may come as a surprise.

Of the 199 nations in the list - compiled by offshore consulting firm Nomad Capitalist - the United Arab Emirates has taken top spot for 2023.

All the countries were ranked according to five criteria: visa-free travel opportunities, taxation of citizens, dual citizenship possibilities, perception and personal freedom.

The UAE took top spot this year, scoring a total of 110.50 in all five categories. But the country only entered the top 10 for the first time, ranking 35th in 2022 and 38th in 2021.

The Emirati passport has leapt up the list because it has visa-free travel privileges to the most places - 181 in total -, no income taxes and an ever-increasing presence on the world stage. 

These factors, among many others, make it an attractive place to aspiring global citizens.