Mapped: Where Britons can and can't go without a visa

Britons possess one of the world's most powerful passports, according to new research, with only Germans and Singaporeans able to visit more countries without applying for a visa. 

The past year has seen Belarus offer British citizens visa-free entry, Kazakhstan and Vietnam renew their visa-free arrangements with the UK, and Ethiopia offer a new visa-on-arrival option (for those landing at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport), helping boost the UK's overall position. 

But the impact of Brexit on Britain's ranking remains to be seen. While it seems unlikely that travel to and from EU countries will be hindered, reports in 2016 suggested otherwise. The executive body of the EU was said to be considering the introduction of a visa-waiver programme similar to that used by the United States, under which citizens from some non-EU countries would be required to secure electronic authorisation before they travel. Such a scheme would make it more time consuming and potentially pricier for Britons to travel to Europe. The cost of applying to visit the US under the "ESTA" programme is currently $14 (£10.40) per person.

As the map above shows, Britons enjoy freedom of movement to almost all of Europe, including popular summer holiday destinations such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece.

The 26 Schengen countries that offer free movement

1. Austria

2. Belgium

3. Czech Republic

4. Denmark

5. Estonia

6. Finland

7. France

8. Germany

9. Greece

10. Hungary

11. Iceland

12. Italy

13. Latvia

14. Lithuania

15. Luxembourg

16. Malta

17. Netherlands

18. Norway

19. Poland

20. Portugal

21. Slovakia

22. Slovenia

23. Spain

24. Sweden

25. Switzerland

26. Liechtenstein

The majority of the world can be explored by Britons without applying for a visa, including most of the Americas and south-east Asia, and other holiday favourites such as South Africa, Morocco, and the UAE. 

Some countries require UK citizens to pay for a visa on arrival, including Madagascar, Egypt, Tanzania, Cambodia, Laos and Nepal, while a handful offer free visas on arrival, including the Maldives, Jordan, Seychelles and Papua New Guinea. 

Several have introduced online "e-visas" in recent years, including Australia, India, Kenya and Myanmar. Applying for these is generally more straightforward and does not involve a trip to a London embassy.

A total of 47 countries require Britons to apply and pay for an e-visa, visa or, in the case of Cuba, "tourist card", before they visit. China, Iran, Russia and North Korea are among the most notable. 

Countries you currently need a visa to visit

1. Afghanistan

2. Algeria

3. Angola

4. Australia (e-visa)

5. Azerbaijan (e-visa)

6. Benin (e-visa)

7. Bhutan

8. Burundi

9. Cameroon

10. Central African Republic

11. Chad

12. China

13. Cuba

14. Democratic Republic of the Congo

15. Equatorial Guinea

16. Eritrea

17. Gabon (e-visa)

18. Ghana

19. Guinea

20. India (e-visa)

21. Iran

22. Iraq

23. Ivory Coast (e-visa)

24. Kenya (e-visa)

25. Kuwait (e-visa)

26. Liberia

27. Libya

28. Mali

29. Mongolia

30. Mozambique

31. Nauru

32. Niger

33. Nigeria

34. North Korea

35. Pakistan

36. Republic of the Congo

37. Saudi Arabia

38. Sierra Leone

39. Somalia

40. South Sudan

41. Sri Lanka (e-visa)

42. Sudan

43. Syria

44. Tajikistan (e-visa)

45. Turkmenistan

46. Uzbekistan

47. Yemen