If you plan to move to the beautiful Philippines, you may find yourself wanting to open a bank account. Even if you maintain existing chequing or savings accounts at home, to pay certain bills or to manage your savings, you may find that you need a local account to pay local expenses and so that your salary can be deposited into it. Alternatively, you could open an international account with your current bank, if they have that option, or you could open an offshore bank account that can be accessed from wherever you are.   more ...

The quality of healthcare in the Philippines varies substantially between the public and the private sector. In the public sector, you will find a number of issues, including overcrowding and limited medical equipment. Meanwhile, some of the private clinics are much more modern, and the region is becoming a destination for medical tourism. The standard of medical personnel is generally high, but there is a personnel shortage, as doctors often choose to work abroad.   more ...

Whether you are resident in the Philippines or simply visiting, you may wish to take advantage of the country’s beautiful coastline and beaches. The country is a major destination for diving and other water sports, and, particularly in areas such as Luzon, there are thousands of dive sites.   more ...

The Philippines has a large number of pharmacies, and you should have little difficulty in accessing either prescription or over the counter medication there, particularly if you are in one of the major urban areas. However, there are some factors to be aware of, such as the prevalence of counterfeit drugs. This article will take you through what is available, how much prescriptions cost, and how to get the care you need.   more ...

As an expat in the Philippines, you will have a number of choices when it comes to giving birth. You can choose to have your baby at home, in a public hospital, or in a private hospital.   more ...

Following a revision of the national healthcare system, the Philippines is now functioning on a two tier health insurance system, made up of public insurance and private cover. Will you be able to register with this scheme, if you are an expat? We will look below at some of the options available to you.   more ...

As an expat living in the Philippines, your insurance choices will be limited. Until recently, foreigners were not eligible to join the national health scheme, but in 2017, PhilHealth was extended to apply to expat workers. However, public healthcare is patchy in the Philippines, particularly in rural areas, and there is a shortage of medical personnel. Therefore, many expats choose private health insurance to cover their time in the country. We will look at some of your options below.   more ...

If you are living and working in the Philippines, or if you are visiting the country, you will find many opportunities to keep fit and well. The country is a beautiful one, with some lovely coastal and mountainous regions for you to take advantage of. Bear in mind that it may be worth taking out comprehensive health insurance, depending on which activities you would like to do.   more ...

How much you will pay for healthcare in the Philippines will depend on whether you choose to access the private or the public sector. Your eligibility for national health insurance is likely to be limited, but you can still access the public healthcare system if you are prepared to pay out of pocket. However, bear in mind that public sector healthcare in the Philippines is overstretched and often overcrowded, with a shortage of medical equipment. Many expats opt for private health insurance, particularly those who are based in non-urban areas.   more ...

The Philippines (officially the Republic of the Philippines) is a tropical archipelagic country in Southeast Asia consisting of an estimated 7,641 islands. The islands are subdivided geographically into three categories, which, from north to south, are Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The islands that make up the Philippines, named after King Philip II of Spain, are particularly famous for their biodiversity, stunning beaches, and cascading waterfalls, which run into unbelievably blue lagoons.   more ...