When you think of passports, color probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Most of us focus on the stamps inside, the expiration date, or the next trip it’ll take us on. But take a closer look next time you’re in an airport security line: you’ll notice that passport covers around the world tend to stick to just four main colors—red, blue, green, and black.
That’s not a coincidence.
Although there's no global law that dictates the color of a country’s passport, governments around the world consistently choose from this small, muted palette. And while it might seem like a matter of aesthetic minimalism, these choices are packed with meaning—political, historical, religious, and even geographical.
So why, in a world of vivid flag colors and cultural variety, do passport designs remain so visually restrained? Let’s dig into the understated symbolism, strategy, and psychology behind passport colors—and why yours might say more about your country than you realize.
Let’s Talk Standards (Or Lack Thereof)
Contrary to what you might assume, there is no international regulation requiring countries to use a certain color for their passport covers. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) does provide design guidelines for machine readability, layout, and embedded security features, but it doesn't dictate color.
So technically, a country could issue passports in pastel pink or highlighter yellow if it wanted to. And yet, almost 95% of countries opt for red, blue, green, or black.
This isn’t just a matter of taste. It’s about identity, diplomacy, and practicality—in ways that aren’t always obvious.
Red: The Color of Unity, Revolution, and Bureaucratic Chic
Red is the most commonly used passport color around the world. Variations range from burgundy and maroon to wine and rust. It’s the color chosen by:
- Most members of the European Union
- Former or current Communist states like China and Russia
- Countries in the Andean Community (e.g., Peru, Ecuador)
So why red? There are a few theories.
For EU countries, the burgundy tone was selected to represent harmonization—a way of signaling shared membership and identity. It’s also a practical choice: dark red looks professional, resists visible wear, and has a formal gravitas.
In former Communist nations, red has a long association with socialism and revolution, making it a natural pick for passports when forging new national identities.
And let’s not forget that red, visually, is both striking and elegant—ideal for documents meant to be taken seriously but still look refined.
Blue: The Color of the New World, Freedom, and Maritime Influence
Blue passports are nearly as common as red, particularly in the Americas, parts of Asia, and among Caribbean nations.
Countries that use blue include:
- The United States
- Australia
- India (for its ordinary passport tier)
- Members of Mercosur, a South American trade bloc
In many of these cases, blue symbolizes freedom, the open sea, or New World optimism. The U.S., for instance, adopted its navy blue passport design in 1976, the year of its Bicentennial celebration—a deliberate nod to national pride and independence.
In South America, blue also links member states of Mercosur (like Brazil and Argentina) to regional unity, much like the EU’s red passports.
The U.S. didn’t always have blue passports. Before 1976, they were green. And during WWII, special passports were black. The current blue design was originally meant to coincide with the country's 200th birthday.
Green: Religion, Regional Ties, and Agricultural Identity
Green is a less common passport color globally, but where it appears, it carries strong symbolic weight.
Many Muslim-majority countries use green for religious reasons. In Islam, green is associated with paradise, peace, and the Prophet Muhammad. Countries with green passports include:
- Saudi Arabia
- Pakistan
- Nigeria*
- Morocco
But green isn’t just a religious symbol. Some West African nations use green passports to signal membership in ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), while others tie it to the idea of land and agriculture—green being a color of fertility and natural abundance.
In this way, green passports act as subtle badges of cultural and regional identity, with layers of spiritual and economic meaning.
Black: Rare, Mysterious, and Built for Business
Black is the rarest passport color of the big four, but it’s not without purpose.
Countries that use black passports include:
- New Zealand (its national color)
- Botswana
- Malawi
- Tajikistan
- The Palestinian Territories
In most cases, black is chosen for formality and durability. It resists stains and wear better than lighter shades, making it a practical choice. But for countries like New Zealand, it’s also a matter of cultural branding—black is widely associated with the All Blacks rugby team and national sports pride.
There’s also an understated power in black—it’s minimalist, bold, and elegant, which appeals to countries looking to project strength, neutrality, or tradition.
Exceptions That Prove the Rule: Custom, Diplomatic, and Special-Issue Passports
Of course, not all passports follow the four-color code. Diplomatic and official passports are often issued in alternative colors to distinguish them from ordinary civilian ones.
- U.S. diplomatic passports are black
- British diplomatic passports are dark blue or maroon
- Indian diplomatic passports are white
Some countries also issue special edition passports to mark anniversaries, sporting events, or milestones. For example, Canada once released a passport with iconic cultural scenes revealed under UV light, and Norway’s redesigned passport uses minimalist mountains that glow in different colors depending on security lighting.
So while most countries stick to tried-and-true palettes, there’s still plenty of creativity tucked into the details.
Is Passport Color Ever Political? Absolutely.
In a world where symbols matter, the color of a country’s passport can say a lot—intentionally or not.
When Turkey sought EU membership, one proposed idea was switching to a burgundy-red passport, mimicking EU countries. Similarly, when the United Kingdom exited the EU (Brexit), it switched from the EU-standard burgundy to a navy blue passport—tapping into nostalgia and signaling renewed national independence.
These choices may seem cosmetic, but in global diplomacy, presentation is perception. A passport is one of the most visible documents of national identity—and color is part of that performance.
Color, Psychology, and International Impression
There’s also a subtle psychological layer. Color affects how we perceive authority, trust, and legitimacy.
- Red feels formal, established, diplomatic
- Blue reads as stable, approachable, and secure
- Green suggests peaceful, spiritual, or land-connected ideals
- Black evokes seriousness, neutrality, and discretion
When you’re crossing a border, how your passport looks isn’t just about national pride—it can influence how officials (and fellow travelers) perceive you. Whether that’s fair or not, it’s part of the nuanced theater of international travel.
Your Passport Wears a Uniform for a Reason
It might not seem like a big deal, but that little booklet you carry through customs is carefully crafted to communicate something bigger than your boarding pass. From the burgundy red of the EU to the inky blue of the U.S., passport colors act as quiet ambassadors of national identity, religious influence, historical alliances, and even regional branding.
So the next time you flip open your passport, take a second to notice its cover—not just what it holds inside. Because tucked into those four colors is a surprisingly rich story about your country, your place in the world, and the quiet design decisions that help shape how the world sees you—even before you say a word.
