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Countries / Philippines
Philippines
English everywhere, a famously warm culture and the cheapest retirement visa in Asia.
RegionSoutheast Asia
CapitalManila
CurrencyPhilippine peso
LanguageFilipino, English
Expat saturationLow (0.2% foreign born)
Living cost · Mid-rangefrom $1,400/mo
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🇵🇭 Philippines from abovePhilippines in 60 secondsAerials of Manila, Cebu, Dumaguete. Replace this slot with the video element; the text stays overlaid.
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◎Orbit Money
Dollars to Philippine peso at the real rate.
No hidden fees. Most transfers land the same day.
Send money →First transfer free
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★Northstar Movers
Your life, shipped to Philippines.
Sea and air freight with door delivery and full-value insurance. Track every box.
Compare prices →Serving 30 countries
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MMeridian Relocation
Door to door to Philippines.
One quote, one contact, insured all the way. Packing, customs and delivery to Manila.
Get a free quote →Trusted by 40,000 families
Sample creative · fictional advertiserYour moveSets your plan and the listings on flights, hotels, rentals, furnishings, moving and retirement.
Your plan for Philippines checklist · timeline · cost breakdown
Affordable move$7,250estimated first-year setup · about 33 weeksMid-range move$14,600estimated first-year setup · about 28 weeksLuxury move$41,750estimated first-year setup · about 20 weeksRetirement move$21,200estimated setup incl. visa, insurance and advice · about 48 weeks
Estimates for one adult before ongoing rent and living costs; couples and families scale up. Tap a plan for the full breakdown.
Philippines by the numbers editorial estimates in US dollars
Worth of the dollar$1 ≈ ₱57.01 Philippine peso ≈ $0.018 · snapshot, changes daily · Current rate ↗
Utilities · 85 m² flat$110/moElectric, water, sewer & garbage
Home internet$30/moBroadband, typical plan
Wi-Fi & connectivity score62/100Median fixed broadband ≈ 95 Mbps
Internet reliability60/100Variable; a backup connection is essential
English day-to-dayHighHow far English gets you
Remote-work time zoneHard for USHard for US, partial EU (early)
Phone & eSIM$10/moLocal plan · travel eSIM ≈ $15/10 GB
Walkability of cities38/100Car-dependent outside a few districts
Air quality44/100Metro Manila moderate to unhealthy from traffic; provinces and islands clean
Healthy food & food safety58/100FDA follows Codex; heavy reliance on processed and imported food; hygiene varies
Severe weather & hazards85/100 risk~20 typhoons a year, earthquakes, volcanoes and flooding
Drive on theRightLeft-hand-drive cars · Licence & vehicles →
Time zonePHT (UTC+8)PHT (UTC+8); 13 hours ahead of New York in winter
Literacy96%Adult literacy rate
Cost to give birth(PhilHealth) low-costPublic (PhilHealth) low-cost / private $1,500–4,000
Rural land$1,000–5,000per acre · $1,000–5,000 rural (foreigners cannot own land, only condos)
Beauty of cities82/100Architecture, setting, upkeep and green space
Petrol / fuel$1.05/L≈ $3.97 per US gallon
Doctor visit$20Basic clinic visit, paid privately
Emergency room$150Uninsured visit, before treatment
Dentist$20 / $35Check-up & cleaning / one filling
Life expectancy72 yrsAt birth
Unemployment4%National rate
Remote work & digital nomadsWelcomedDigital Nomad visa (2025) 1 year renewable on $24k/yr income
🌤️ Climate
Tropical; dry Dec–May, wet Jun–Nov. Typhoon season peaks Jul–Oct in the north; Mindanao is largely spared.
Winter · Jan26°C79°F
Spring · Apr29°C84°F
Summer · Jul28°C82°F
Autumn · Oct28°C82°F
Mean temperatures for Manila.
🌧️ Rain & snow
Rainfall about 2,300 mm (91 in) a year.
Snow None.
⚖️ The law
Official legislationThe LawPhil Project (Arellano Law) ↗
OverviewLaw of Philippines on Wikipedia ↗
Driving On the right. Licence rules →
🏛️ Taxes
Property tax RPT 1–2% of assessed value (assessed well below market).
Local & regional income tax None; national 0–35%.
🎓 University
Public universities tuition-free for Filipinos; private $2–6k/yr.
📱 Phone & eSIM
Carriers Globe, Smart, DITO.
Average cost Local SIM or eSIM with generous data about $10/month; a 30-day travel eSIM (Airalo, Holafly, Saily and similar) around $15 for 10 GB.
🎁 Schemes to attract expats
- Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) from age 50
- Digital Nomad visa
- Tax-free foreign pensions
- English-speaking; US retirees welcomed
Figures are national averages for planning, not quotes; big cities run higher. Tax schemes change often and carry conditions. Verify before you rely on them.
Official sources for Philippines embassies, warnings, law and reference
US Embassy in Philippines↗All embassies and consulates in Philippines↗US State Department travel advisory↗UK FCDO travel advice↗The LawPhil Project (Arellano Law)↗Law of Philippines (Wikipedia)↗Philippines on Wikipedia↗Department of Tourism (official tourism board)↗World Health Organization country profile↗Numbeo cost-of-living data↗
Government, intergovernmental and reference sites only; no reviews or opinion. Links open in a new tab.
Ratings & warnings independent
Visa informationTypes, step-by-step application, where to applyPassport renewalOfficial renewal links and timingLiveability scoreThe rating and what drives itSafety ratingCrime, stability and what the number meansTravel warningsState Department and UN advisories, liveRegional information & cuisineWhere to live and what you'll eatCommunity & meetupsFinding your people
Follows your Mid-range tier partner listings match your budget
FlightsGateways, routes and fares for your research tripHotels & accommodationWhere to stay while you scout, with videoRental propertiesNeighbourhoods, prices and how renting worksFurnishings & home setupFurniture, appliances, utilities and internetMoving & shippingGetting your life across the oceanRetirementVisas, costs and where retirees settle
Services & daily life one labelled partner per page
Airport taxis & transfersOfficial cabs, apps, rail links and faresTransportationGetting around, driving and licencesTrains, buses & ticketsIntercity travel and where to bookSchoolsInternational, bilingual and local optionsChild care & nanniesNurseries, nannies, au pairs and costsUniversitiesDegrees, fees and student visasPets: vets, boarding & relocationBringing animals, finding a vet and careLanguage classesLearning before and after you landBest restaurantsWhere locals and expats actually eatHospitals & healthcare accessHow to see a doctor, hospitals, insuranceBanking & money transferAccounts, transfers and currencyTax & legal helpResidency, treaties and who to hireJobs boardRoles open to foreigners, updated weeklyCoworking & remote workWork rights, spaces and freelancing
Rated & officialPartners in three tiersOne labelled partner
Life in Philippines faith, wellbeing, shopping and play
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Interested in where astrology says you should live?Click here for more info on astrocartography and Philippines.
Click here →🕊️ Religious servicesChurches, mosques, synagogues, temples and more🧘 Wellness & spiritualityYoga, retreats, meditation, spas and practitioners🛍️ Retail recommendationsWhere to shop for clothes, tech, homeware and gifts🧺 Groceries & marketsSupermarkets, local markets and what things cost🥾 Recreation & tour guidesOutdoors, sport, day trips and licensed guides📱 Phone & eSIMCarriers, eSIMs, plans and what they cost⛴️ Boats & ferriesFerry routes, marinas, boat rental and ownership🏖️ Beaches, lakes & riversSwimming, water quality and the best spots🚗 Vehicles & driving licenceRent or buy a car, and how to get a local licence🖼️ Art galleries, museums & librariesWhat's free, what costs, and where to start Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning around
Holidays & festivalsNational holidays, closures and the festivals worth planning aroundJobs board · Philippines
Search for jobs for free, or post a job for $100 USD.
Roles open to foreigners in Philippines: remote work you can do from Manila, and in-person jobs with employers who hire from abroad. Free for job seekers, always. Employers pay a flat $100 per listing, live for 60 days.
Latest listings. Example listings shown until the first real posts go live.
Example · Senior Software Engineer (React / Node)Northwind Labs · Remote, US or EU hours
$95,000–130,000USD
Example · English Teacher (adults & business)International Language Centre · Manila · in person
₱130,000–₱180,000/moPHP