Moving To The Philippines: A Guide To Living In The Philippines As An Expat

Consisting of over 7,000 islands in the Western Pacific Ocean, the Philippines is an island archipelago nestled between Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia. Its diverse history is written in its modern-day social fabric, with every town and city having its own distinct local culture. And while it’s always been a popular destination for backpackers and holidaymakers, the Philippines has recently started to become a hotspot for expats too.

In this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about moving to the Philippines as an expat, from finding a job and a home, to accessing high-quality healthcare.

This guide on living in the Philipines covers

1. What to expect from living in the Philippines as an expat
2. Languages in the Philippines
3. How do I open a bank account in the Philippines?
4. Healthcare in the Philippines
5. Finding a job in the Philippines
6. Your handy ‘moving to the Philippines’ checklist

Bamboo pedestrian bridge in Bohol, Philippines // GETTY IMAGES

Life in the Philippines: What to expect from living in the Philippines as an expat

If you’re thinking of moving to the Philippines, consider yourself a trailblazer. With just 78,000 foreign citizens registered on the island (out of a population of 108 million), it’s fair to say the Philippines is still an undiscovered gem in the expat world.

Make no mistake, the Philippines is not for the faint-hearted: its fast-paced way of life and occasional lack of modern infrastructure may not appeal to those who prefer luxury and comfort – many an expat has experienced culture shock after moving to the Philippines.

But the pay-off is unlimited access to incredible beaches, bustling cities and verdant countryside.

What should I expect from life in the Philippines?

The Philippines is a storied country made up of thousands of islands, each with their own cultural idiosyncrasies. It’s hard to summarise Filipino culture in a few words: it is at the same time metropolitan and agrarian, modern and traditional, laid-back and high-speed. One thing’s for sure: any expat living in the Philippines could spend a lifetime trying to put their finger on the pulse of this incredible nation.

Being an island country, the Philippines boasts 22,000 miles of coastline, offering no shortage of picturesque beaches, while inland the geography switches between huge mountains and wide open plains, with dozens of gigantic cities. Filipino culture is largely city-oriented, with around 48% of people living in major cities, which is why expats often find themselves flocking towards these metropolitan centres:

City

Population

Quezon City

2.8 million

Manila

1.6 million

Caloocan City

1.5 million

Budta

1.3 million

Davao

1.2 million

Malingao

1.1 million

Source: Statista

Home to over 115 million people, the Philippines is the 13th largest country on Earth by population. Originally settled by the Negritos people, the islands have since seen waves of Austronesian, Chinese, Spanish, Latino, American and Japanese settlers, each of whom has left behind a significant cultural heritage.

This is best represented in the diverse range of languages: while Filipino is the official language, alongside English (which is spoken by 55% of the population), there are almost 200 different languages and dialects spoken throughout the islands, including Arabic, Spanish, Malay, Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean and Tagalog.

The Philippines is a predominantly Christian country, although sizable minority populations of Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs can be found. The most popular Christian denomination is Catholicism, practised by 78% of the population, along with local sects such as Iglesia ni Cristo (4%) and the Philippine Independent Church (1%).

Looking for health insurance in the Philippines?

Find out more about our expat health insurance plans

Is the Philippines a good place to live?

In recent years, the Philippines has emerged as one of the best places to live as an expat. This is thanks to its rich culture, incredible natural beauty, low cost of living and friendly people.

Having said that, life in the Philippines is not without its difficulties. Many expats report feeling culture shock after moving to the Philippines, and common problems include poor-quality roads and infrastructure, pollution, stray animals, and corruption.

To fall back on an old cliché, life in the Philippines is what you make it. With over 2,100 sunshine hours per year, an average temperature of 27°C/80°F and a cost of living that’s barely a fraction of that in the USA (about 83% cheaper), the Philippines offers the perfect environment to build your ideal expat life.

Bonus point: the local diet is heaven for meat-lovers, with plenty of fresh fish, fruit and rice featuring.

Is the Philippines a good place to live?

The Philippines is a developing and newly industrialised country that ranks low (113th) on the Human Development Index. Still, it has a robust economy that ranks 39th in the world. Its biggest industry as of 2023 is vehicle manufacturing, accounting for over 18% of GDP, with other forms of manufacturing adding a further 17%. Financial services, fishing, agriculture and construction are other key sectors in the Philippine economy.

As an expat, it is important to bear in mind that salaries tend to be very low in the Philippines. The average monthly salary is around PHP 44,800, which is US$761. However, these can range to as high as PHP 199,000/US$3,383 per month in certain sectors, such as finance, technology and professional services. Expats looking for work locally should consider Makati (dubbed the financial capital of the Philippines), Davao, Kalookan and Cebu City, where salaries tend to be higher on average.

If you intend to work for a foreign company while living in the Philippines, you should check to see if your country has a double taxation treaty, as this means you may not have to pay income tax in the Philippines. While the Philippines does not yet offer a digital nomad visa, it is likely that the country will introduce one.

Which are the best countries in the world to work?

See our list of the top workation destinations

Is the Philippines a good place to retire?

Thanks to its low cost of living, the Philippines has started to attract a new generation of retirees looking to make their savings go further. Since 1985, the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) has worked to promote the Philippines as a retirement hotspot, and has introduced a number of incentives including:

• The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), which allows unlimited entry and exit from the country and indefinite right to remain
• A waiver on import duties up to US$7,000
• An exemption on taxation for foreign government pension pots
• The right for retirees to buy a condo or townhouse, and to open a business

In 2023, the PRA said that around 75,000 retirees from 150 countries had already signed up to the SRRV programme.

How is the political situation in the Philippines?

The Philippines is a relatively stable country based on a democratic system modelled after the US. The Philippines has an economic freedom score of 59, slightly higher than the world average of 58.6, but still placing the Philippines in the “mostly unfree” category.

One of the factors to the Philippines’ detriment is government corruption. Successive governments, first under Rodrigo Duterte and presently under President Bongbong Marcos have attempted to stamp out government corruption with limited success. 86% of people in the Philippines perceive their government as corrupt, giving the country a low transparency score of just 34%. 

The hard-line policies previously pursued by Duterte, which included a series of ‘wars’ waged on drug smugglers, communists and radical Islamists, and strict COVID-19 policies – which collectively caused thousands of deaths – have given way to more lenient policies under current Bongbong Marcos. Still, the so-called ‘war on drugs’ continues, and the Philippines is under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for suspected human rights violations.

Having said that, political problems in the Philippines tend to be localised within certain cities and directed mainly towards people with criminal intent. Law-abiding citizens should have very little to worry about, and will find the Philippines to be a generally safe country.

Have you looked into life insurance as an expat?

Here’s how to get life insurance in the Philippines

Traffic in Manila, Philippines // GETTY IMAGES

Language in the Philippines: Do I need to learn Filipino?

The Philippines has two official languages: Filipino and English. 55% of the population speaks English fluently (English is also the official language of business and politics), and most expats will testify that foreigners can survive very easily speaking just English. Filipino is a standardised version of the language Tagalog, which is spoken by around 40% of the population. 

The Philippines is an extraordinarily diverse country, and so depending where you live you may find the locals speaking a regional dialect or foreign language. Over 180 languages are regularly spoken throughout the Philippines, the most common of which include Tagalog, Cebuano, Ilocano and Hiligaynon. 

These are the most common languages spoken in the Philippines:

Native language

Percentage speakers in the Philippines

Tagalog

40%

Cebuano (Bisaya, Binisaya, Boho)

23%

Hiligaynon

7%

Ilocano

7%

Bicolano

4%

Waray

3%

Kapampangan

2%

Maguindanao

1%

Pangasinan

1%

Tausug/Bahasa Sug

1%

Maranao

1%

Others

10%

Source: Wikipedia

If you are thinking about learning another language, you will find many foreign languages spoken across the Philippines. Spanish is spoken by around 0.5% of the population and there are over 2,000 Japanese, Indonesian and Hindi speakers.

Thinking about learning another language?

Discover the best languages to learn as an expat

How do I open a bank account in the Philippines?

As an expat living in the Philippines, having a local bank account can help you in many ways. It will make it easier for you to send, receive, withdraw and spend money, and may be essential in helping you to secure long-term accommodation, either by renting or buying property.

You may also need a local bank account if you are thinking of starting a business or working for a Filipino company. You may not be allowed to enter the country if you are carrying more than PHP 50,000, or the foreign currency equivalent of US$10,000 in cash, and you may have to fill in a customs declaration if you intend to do so.

Opening a bank account in the Philippines is simple and straightforward. Many international banks (including Citibank, Bank of America and HSBC) have branches in the Philippines, and you will also find a number of local banks (such as the Philippine National Bank, Metrobank and the Bank of the Philippine Islands) that specialise in providing financial services to expats.

While it is possible to open a bank account in the Philippines as a foreigner, many expats recommend securing residency status before attempting to open an account.

Once you have done this, you can open your account simply by visiting a bank branch in person or starting an application online. 

Different banks may have different guidelines for expats when it comes to opening a bank an account, however you will generally be expected to provide the following documents:

• Your passport
• A copy of your visa, residency permit (SIRV or SRRV), work permit or student permit
• Proof of address, such as a tenancy agreement or utility bill
• The minimum deposit (usually around PHP 100/US$2)

You may also need to provide evidence of your existing banking history, such as previous bank statements, and/or a reference from a bank in your home country.

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Healthcare in the Philippines

As a developing nation, the healthcare system in the Philippines is below the standard that expats from the Western world may be accustomed to.

According to the 2024 Legatum Prosperity Index, the Philippines ranks just 96th in the world for healthcare, out of 167 countries. The Philippines also ranks low for many major healthcare indices, not least average life expectancy, where it comes 124th in the world with just 72.3 years.

Healthcare in the Philippines is beset by a significant urban-rural divide. While the quality of hospitals and clinics in major cities is generally very good, the opposite is true in rural areas, where access to high-quality facilities, staff and medical technology can be extremely low. Four of the top 100 hospitals in South East Asia can be found in the Philippines, namely Philippine Heart Centre, St Luke’s Medical Center, Makati Medical Center and Asian Hospital & Medical Centre, all of which are found in the Manila metropolitan area.

As such, many expats choose to travel to major cities (especially Manila) for medical treatment, as this promises higher patient outcomes, a more comfortable stay and better access to medical facilities. It is also more likely that medical professionals will speak English, making it easier for patients to communicate their needs.

Have you looked into health insurance?

Read our full guide to taking out health insurance in the Philippines

Can expats access public healthcare in the Philippines?

Yes – in fact, if you are a legal resident of the Philippines and intend to live in the country for longer than six months, you are required by law to sign up for public health insurance with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth). You can do this in person or online.

If you are an employee of a Philippine company, your employer will make public health insurance contributions on your behalf. For all other expats, you will need to pay your public health insurance costs out of your own pocket. The cost of public health insurance per person in the Philippines is around PHP 2,400–3,600/US$40–62 per year.

Once you are a resident of the Philippines and contributing to PhilHealth, you will be entitled to access healthcare services at any public hospital or clinic. However, you should still expect to pay for many expenses out of your own pocket. You should also expect to experience long waiting lists, overcrowding and poor data processing services while at any Philippine medical centre.

Do I need health insurance to live in the Philippines?

While it is not a legal requirement to purchase health insurance before arriving in the Philippines, or while living there as an expat (except in the case of PhilHealth, which you will need to pay if you intend to become a permanent resident), you may wish to consider taking out a health insurance policy.

Health insurance in the Philippines will entitle you to a higher quality of medical care at private hospitals and clinics throughout the country. This means you won’t need to depend on the public healthcare sector, where hospitals often see long waiting lists, have poor medical equipment and may be staffed with professionals who don’t speak English.

Private health insurance is especially important if you intend to live in a remote or rural area, particularly islands that do not have their own hospitals. This is because you will often need to depend on helicopter or boat transport to make it to your nearest hospital, which can be very expensive – especially in an emergency. You may therefore wish to choose a health insurance policy that includes medical evacuations.

With private medical insurance, the cost of your medical bills to you will be mitigated. This is beneficial since the daily cost of a stay in an intensive care unit in the Philippines can be as high as US$1,200 per night.

Which countries have the best healthcare in the world?

We look at countries with the best healthcare

How do I find accommodation in the Philippines?

The Philippines is a diverse country, and this is true of the property market too. In major cities such as Quezon, Manila and Davao, you’ll find a mix of everything from Spanish colonial townhouses to pokey apartments, brand new mixed development condominiums and high-rise blocks of flats. In the rural heartlands, meanwhile, are American-style suburban family homes, luxurious villas and renovated farmhouses. 

Expats tend to flock to the big cities, with Davao and Manila the favourites. Accommodation is relatively easy to find in these cities, with a wide range of housing options available at prices to suit every budget. Websites like Dot Property and Lamudi provide comprehensive listings from various estate agents across the Philippines, while if you are looking for short-term lets, many private owners turn to Airbnb to list their properties.

If you would prefer to live nearer the coast, you will find no shortage of quaint and picturesque seaside towns across the Philippines. Expat favourites include Cebu, Palaran, Dumaguete, Luzon and Batangas.

Can expats buy property in the Philippines?

The answer is yes, but with many caveats:

• Foreign citizens are forbidden from buying land in the Philippines, but can purchase the property on that land minus the freehold
• According to the Philippine Condominium Act, foreigners can buy an apartment so long as at least 60% of the building is owned by Filipinos
• Foreigners can also buy a property through a corporation or limited company, so long as they invest at least US$200,000 in the company, or if at least 60% of the company is Filipino-owned

In other words, as an expat you may not be able to purchase the property you have your heart set on, and you may be restricted to owning only leasehold property. 

The most popular way for expats to purchase property in the Philippines is through a private company – this incurs additional fees, such as the cost of establishing the company, and you will need a business bank account before registering the company. You may wish to seek legal advice before pursuing this route.

Alternatively, you may be able to purchase a building without purchasing the land it sits on. You may therefore have to pay rent to the freeholder of the land.

If your spouse is a Philippine citizen, you can get around these rules by purchasing the whole property in their name.

Purchasing your own home is one of the greatest joys in life as an expat

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The business district of Metro Manila // GETTY IMAGES

Finding a job in the Philippines

The Philippine economy is transitioning from a predominantly material and agriculture-based primary economy, to a tertiary economy based on manufacturing, trade and business services. As the 32nd largest economy in the world by nominal GDP, and the 13th largest in Asia, the Philippines offers a wide range of opportunities to professional workers, and corporations are always on the lookout for foreign talent. The country’s primary exports include semiconductors, automobiles and chemical products.

Still, you may not find it as easy as you hoped to secure a job in the Philippines, as the country’s economic transition hits many roadblocks. As many as 69% of residents say they have trouble finding a job, despite an employment rate of just 2.4%.

As such, many expats prefer to enter the Philippines as digital nomads, either by working remotely for a foreign company or as freelancers (having said that, the Philippines does not yet offer a formal digital nomad visa).

What is the average expat salary in the Philippines?

Highly-skilled workers can make good money in the Philippines, whether by working for a Philippine company or as digital nomads. While the average salary for a worker in the Philippines is just PHP 44,800/US$761, those working in the professional services sector can command salaries several times higher than this.

According to Wise.com, the average annual earnings for expat workers in Manila are around:

Occupation

Average salary (PHP)

Average salary (US$)

Cashier

₱120,000

$2,000

Copywriter

₱180,000

$3,000

Teacher

₱180,000

$3,000

Receptionist

₱200,000

$3,400

Graphic designer

₱300,000

$5,000

Financial analyst

₱360,000

$6,100

Web developer

₱418,000

$7,000

Mobile developer

₱450,000

$7,600

Software engineer

₱500,000

$8,500

Product manager

₱600,000

$10,100

*Sourced by Wise.com

Many expats choose to live in the Philippines as digital nomads. This allows them to continue working for overseas companies and clients, allowing them to earn significantly higher salaries than those offered by local companies.

How much tax will I pay in the Philippines?

As an expat, you will be taxed on income you derive from the Philippines. This means:

• Income generated by working for a Philippine company, or
• Income generated from trade with Philippine businesses

Therefore, you will only pay income tax if you work for a Philippine company, or your own business does trade with Philippine customers and clients. The tax you pay will depend on your income and can be quite steep, especially for high earners. The tax rates are worked out like so:

Annual income (PHP)

Annual income (US$)

Tax rate

₱250,000 and below

$4,240 and below

0%

₱250,000–400,000

$4,240–6,780

15% on everything over 250,000

₱400,000–800,000

$6,780–13,500

₱22,500/$380 + 20% on everything over 400,000

₱800,000–2,000,000

$13,500–40,000

₱102,500/$1,740 + 25% on everything over 800,000

₱8,000,000 and over

$136,000 and over

₱2,202,500/$37,360 + 35% on everything over 8,000,000

If you work for a foreign company, and so long as the country your employer is based in has a double taxation treaty with the Philippines, you will not need to pay income tax in the Philippines. You will still need to pay other sources of tax, such as VAT on purchases (12%) and customs and excise taxes (5–20%).

Living and working outside of your home country?

Read our guide to paying taxes as an expat abroad

Do I need a visa to work in the Philippines?

Yes. A regular tourist visa will only allow you to stay for up to 30 days in the Philippines, and overstaying the length of your visa can land you with serious penalties. Some passport holders, including those from the USA, are allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free, but even then the maximum length of stay is usually 3–6 months.

If you intend to live and work in the Philippines long-term, you must apply for a visa before you arrive. This can be either a work visa or retirement visa.

The type of working visa you apply for depends on your work arrangements. You have three options:

• The Alien Employment Permit (AEP) is offered to workers who already have a permanent contract agreed with a Philippine company
• The Special Work Permit (SWP) is for foreign workers who will complete a short work assignment while in the Philippines, and allows you to stay for up to six months
• The Provisional Work Permit (PWP) is for expats who intend to find work after arriving in the Philippines. It is valid for three months and, if you fail to find a permanent job while staying on a PWP, you will need to leave the Philippines

To acquire a Philippines work visa, you will need to visit the Immigration Bureau in the Philippines as soon as you arrive in the country. You will need to bring:

• Your passport
• A letter of request, signed by your employer (if you have one)
• A copy of your employment contract showing your salary, job title and the duration of your contract (if you have one)
• A photocopy of your employer’s Income Tax Return
• A copy of your work permit (if you have one)
• A document showing the number of foreign and Filipino employees already working at your company
• Proof of your criminal record
• Health certificate provided by an authorised medical practitioner with copies of X-rays

If you are intending to live in the Philippines as a student, you will need a Philippines Student Visa (PSV). For this, you will need to show proof that you have been accepted into a Filipino school. Your school will then need to apply to the Filipino High Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to approve your application.

Once your application is accepted, you can enter the Philippines on a tourist visa and convert to a Student Visa at the Bureau of Immigration.

You will need to bring:

• Your passport
• A certificate of acceptance from your school
• A certificate of good moral character from your school
• Proof of your criminal record
• Health certificate provided by an authorised medical practitioner with copies of X-rays
• A personal history statement detailing your personal and family background, physical appearance and educational background, including academic transcripts
• A list of contacts you have in the Philippines
• Your birth certificate

If you are a man who has been married to a Filipino woman for at least five years, you may also be able to live in the Philippines through the Philippine Spouse Visa.

Thinking about studying abroad?

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Your handy ‘moving to the Philippines’ checklist

Before moving to the Philippines, make sure you check the following:

Accommodation

• ☐ Have you researched places you’d like to live?
• ☐ If you’ve found an apartment or house you’d like to rent, have you contacted the company offering the accommodation?
• ☐ If you’ve agreed a place to live, have you received your rental agreement?
• ☐ If you are thinking of purchasing property, have you researched the law and worked out a suitable strategy?

Work

• ☐ Have you received a job offer from a Philippine employer?
• ☐ Alternatively, have you started an application for your Provisional Work Permit and compiled all the documentation you’ll need to secure a job?
• ☐ Is your employer able to provide a reference to help you secure a work visa?
• ☐ Do you have proof of your medical records, family background, career history and all other documents you’ll need to secure a work visa?

Healthcare

• ☐ Have you researched healthcare in your local area and know the best hospitals to use?
• ☐ Have you taken out international health insurance that grants you access to high-quality healthcare in the Philippines?
• ☐ Have you looked into other forms of health insurance to support your life in the Philippines, such as life insurance and income protection?
• ☐ Does your health insurance cover emergency evacuation to other islands or other countries, in case of emergencies?

Banking

• ☐ Do you have all the paperwork necessary to complete your application for a bank account?
• ☐ Do you have the minimum deposit available in cash?

Relocation

• ☐ Have you researched the cost of relocation? If you’re bringing your own furniture from home, have you received a reliable quote from a shipping company?

Got more questions about moving abroad?

Check out our guide for expats looking at moving overseas

International health insurance for expats in the Philippines

There’s a lot to think about when moving to another country, but one way to make it easier is by taking out international health insurance before you go.

At William Russell, we’ve specialised in helping expats like you settle into their new lives abroad for over 30 years. Our flexible international health insurance policy gives you access to the highest-quality treatment and includes medical evacuation insurance as standard.

Get a quick quote online today and start your new life in the Phillipines with complete confidence.

Looking for expat health insurance before you move to the Philippines?

Learn more about our plans

This article is part of our series of guides to expat life. It’s just for general information, and we don’t provide professional advice on moving abroad (we’re an expat insurance provider). We update this article regularly to keep it useful as possible, but if you want to know more – please seek independent advice.