Philippines

"Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa" ("For God, for the people, for nature and for the country")

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Welcome to Philippines

Philippines: "The Philippines, an archipelago in Southeast Asia, is known for its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture. Its economy is growing, with industries like business process outsourcing, tourism, and agriculture playing major roles. The Philippines’ tropical climate and hospitable culture make it a popular destination.",

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Philippines Essentials

National Anthem

Lupang Hinirang

Independence Day

June 12, 1898

Haiko

Seven thousand isles / Jeepneys crowd Manila streets / Adobo simmers

Interesting Tradition

Holds Moriones Festival with people dressing as Roman soldiers during Holy Week

Weirdest Local Superstition

Don't go straight home after a funeral

Strangest Law Still on the Books

Illegal to unjustly vex someone

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Come for the history, stay for the future

Come for the islands, stay for the innovation: The Philippines blends tropical allure with a rising digital economy across its 7,000 islands. Life moves between beachfront workspaces and vibrant city hubs, while weekends might mean island hopping or mountain retreats. The nation's special visa programs and growing tech sector have created new opportunities for global professionals.

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Tara

Journey through islands where 'bayanihan' isn't just unity, but the bridge to tomorrow. Here, warmth meets opportunity.

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Maligayang pagdating sa Philippines

Known for its beautiful islands and friendly people where hospitality is a way of life

The Philippines isn't just a country—it's a celebration of life's simple joys. Here, time moves to the rhythm of fiestas and faith, and even a simple island hop becomes an adventure in cultural discovery. This is a land where smiles and song create daily magic.

From the rice terraces of Banaue to the powder-white beaches of Boracay, the Philippines offers paradise for every island dreamer. Whether you're drawn to the chocolate hills of Bohol, the historic walled city of Intramuros, or the pristine lagoons of Palawan, you'll find a nation that turns its 7,000 islands into one warm welcome.

Statistics

Savor the Flavor

Eat

adobo (vinegar-braised meat) - sinigang (sour soup)

Drink

san miguel (local beer) - lambanog (coconut spirit)

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Thirsty?

Beer

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

13

Wine

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0

Coffee

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

5.83

Tea

Annual consumption (liters per capita)

0.08

overview

Cultural Tips and Etiquette

#1
Mano po (elderly blessing gesture) required even with familiar elders
#2
Karaoke participation expected at social gatherings - refusing is rude
#3
Use of po and opo (respect particles) crucial in conversation
#4
Bringing food home from parties (takeout) is expected
#5
Fiesta contribution expectations vary by relationship

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Philippines Essentials

Representative Novel

Noli Me Tángere by José Rizal (Novel critiquing Spanish colonialism in the Philippines)

National Animal

Philippine eagle

National Pasttime

Basketball

National Souvenir

Barong Tagalog shirt

National Dish

Adobo

Famous Festival

Sinulog

Famous Dance

Tinikling

Famous Music

OPM

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Did You Know?

The Philippines is the world's second-largest archipelago.

With over 7,000 islands, the Philippines offers endless opportunities for island-hopping adventures.

The Philippines is home to the world's smallest volcano.

Taal Volcano, located in the province of Batangas, is an active volcano known for its small size and picturesque crater lake.

The Philippines celebrates the longest Christmas season.

Christmas festivities in the Philippines begin as early as September and last until January, making it a joyful and extended celebration.

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Philippines’s Key Historical Events

900 AD

April 2014

Rise of pre-colonial kingdoms

1521

July 2014

Spanish colonization begins

1898

February 2015

Independence from Spain after the Philippine Revolution

1946

March 2015

Independence from the US

1986

October 2016

People Power Revolution

MOBILITY

Access Philippines Residency Rights on the GlobalPassport™ Platform 

NO. OF Mobility Assets

3

MOBILITY

Citizenship Pathways and
Residency Requirements

Citizenship by Birth
Yes
Citizenship by DESCENT
Yes
Citizenship by MARRIAGE
5 years
DUAL Citizenship
Conditional
RESIDENCY BY Naturalization
10
PASSPORT VALIDITY
10 years, 5 years for children

MOBILITY

Passport Power

Visa Free Countries

62

Performance Class

Limited Horizons

Passport Grade

D+

Rank

125

Score

41.4

This visa grants access to:

• 20% of the world's population 

• 17% of UNESCO sites 

• 9% of global GDP 

• 22% of the world's land area 

MOBILITY

Visa-free access to:

MOBILITY

Number of American Emigrants to Philippines by Year 

Year
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
2020
Philippines
12,778
10,929
9,349
11,582
14,179
13,504
18,035

MOBILITY

Compare My Passport

Select up to 3 Mobility Assets
Mobility Asset
Approval Time (est.)
Appointment Availability
Term (i.e. duration)
Minimum Investment
Physical Presence Requirement
Cost of Living
English Usage
Quality of Life
Healthcare Ranking
Passport Power
Visa-free Country Access
Number of American Expats
More Details

Rankings

Philippines's Global Rankings 

Philippines offers highly affordable living costs (#88) and comfortable quality of life (#37). Our analysis highlights its high English proficiency (#20) and pleasant climate (#20).

Exceptional performance
Standard performance
Needs Improvement
Rankings are based on 2023-2024 Global Indices and Assessments from recognized international organizations. Updated quarterly to reflect the most recent available data
88
Cost of Living
2024
Highly Affordable
37
Quality of Life
2024
Comfortable
104
Safety
2024
Medium
53
Happiness
2024
High
Tax Burden
2024
20
English Proficiency
2023
High Proficiency
100
Rule of Law
2024
Weak
96
Healthcare System
2024
Minimal Coverage
20
Pleasant Climate
2024
Pleasant

Healthcare

Healthcare Overview

Key Health Indicators

Median Age

25.3

years

Life Expectancy

71.1

years

Obesity Rate

6.20%

Tobacco Use

34.00%

Sources

Health care Indicators

Health Expenditure

5.87%

of GDP

Hospital Beds

1.0

per 1000 people

Doctors

0.752

per 1000 people

Out-of-pocket

44.61%

of total expenditure

Sources

Healthcare

Did you Know?

Public Healthcare System

The Philippines provides a public healthcare system through its national health insurance program, PhilHealth, covering basic medical services for residents.

Private Healthcare Sector

The Philippines has a well-developed private healthcare sector offering advanced treatments and quicker access to services, particularly in urban areas.

Healthcare for Expats

Expatriates in the Philippines often choose private healthcare services, with many purchasing private insurance for faster access and better facilities.

Medical Tourism Destination

The Philippines is a popular destination for medical tourism, known for affordable treatments, particularly in cosmetic and dental care.

Pharmaceutical Availability

Pharmaceuticals are widely available in the Philippines, with both local and international medications accessible at reasonable prices.

Healthcare

United Healthcare Coverage Service Index (2000 - 2021)

Healthcare

Healthcare Cost Calculator

cost of living

Cost of Living Overview

The Philippines provides a low cost of living, particularly appealing to expatriates and retirees. Major cities like Manila and Cebu are more expensive than rural areas but still affordable by international standards. Housing costs vary widely, with luxury condos in urban centers being pricier. Food is very affordable, especially local produce and street food. Utilities can be expensive, particularly electricity. Public transportation is cheap but often crowded and unreliable in big cities. Education costs are moderate, with a range of public and private options available.

Cost of Gasoline

$1.19

per liter

Cost of Meal

$3.66

(Inexpensive Restaurant)

Monthly Rent

$305.31

(1 bedroom, City Center)

Monthly Utilities

$109.12

(85m² Apartment)

Domestic Beer

$1.25

(0.5 liter draught)

VAT Rate

12%

cost of living

Cost of Living plus Rent Map

cost of living

Cost of Living Calculator

cost of living

Rent Calculator

Taxation

Taxation Overview

Before moving to the Philippines, it's important to understand its tax system.+The Philippines taxes resident expats on their worldwide income, while non-residents are taxed only on Philippine-source income. Income tax rates are progressive, ranging from 0% to 35%. Social security contributions are mandatory for most workers. A Tax Identification Number (TIN) is required for tax purposes.+The Philippines has a double taxation treaty with the United States to prevent dual taxation issues.

Tax Residency Requirement

180 days

Worldwide Income Taxation

Yes

Higher Rates for Foreign Assets

No

US Double Taxation Treaty

Yes

Personal Income

Progressive tax rate based on income levels

0%-35%

Personal Capital Gains

Flat rate on investment gains

0%-15%

Inheritance

Based on inherited amount and relationship

6%-20%

Corporate Income

Standard corporate tax rate applied to business profits

25%

Corporate Capital Gains

Tax rate applied to capital gains from corporate investments

25%

Dividends

Withholding tax rate applied to dividend distributions

0%-25%

Interest

Withholding rate interest payment to non-residens

15%-20%

Royalties

Withholding tax rate for royalty payments

20%-25%

Work Assignment

Most expatriates are classified as non-resident aliens. Those staying for more than 180 days during any calendar year are deemed non-resident aliens engaged in trade or business in the Philippines.

Overall Ranking

Global position in PWC’c Ease of Paying Taxes ranking

95

Ease of Paying Taxes Score

Overall score based on multiple factors

72.6

Total Tax and Cotribution Rate

TTCR percentage including all mandatory contributtions

43.1
%

Time to Comply

Annual hours required to comply with tax regulations

171
HOURS

Number of Payments

Total number of tax payments required annually

13

Post-filing Index

Score measuring the ease of processes after filing taxes

50
%

taxation

Tax Burden Map

taxation

Income Tax Calculator

CLIMATE

Climate Type

Tropical marine; northeast monsoon (November to April); southwest monsoon (May to October)

Average Temperature

26.27 °C

Humidity

77

%

Average Annual Precipitation

2,348

mm

Rainless Days per Year

277

Best Time to Travel

December-February

Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaining Residency or Citizenship in the Philippines

Find answers to common questions about GlobalPassport™ and our tools guiding you towards residency or citizenship in the Philippines.

What Mobility Assets are available to me in the Philippines?

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Do I need to speak Filipino to apply for residency or citizenship in the Philippines?

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Can my family members apply for residency or citizenship in the Philippines with me?

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How will the GlobalPassport™ help me move to the Philippines?

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Can I keep my own citizenship?

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