Your life in The Philippines starts here
Make your move to The Philippines
English-speaking and warm all year, the Philippines keeps living costs and property very low across its 7,000 islands. Foreign income is left alone, and a dedicated retiree route offers a way in.
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Photo: Ramius Aquiler / Pexels
At a glance
The Philippines, in brief.
How The Philippines compares with the 80+ destinations we cover. The Philippines ranks among the best for visa ease (8th of 81) and cost of living (9th of 77) and english-friendliness (19th of 81).
Compare destinations- Cost of living
- Very low
- Property
- Very affordable
- Healthcare
- Limited
- Safety
- Moderate
- Climate
- Warm (~28°C)
- English
- Native / official
- Expat community
- Minimal
SRRV retiree visa ($15k+ deposit)
Territorial for foreigners
Life in The Philippines
Read about Kate and John's experience of moving from the USA to the Philippines.
Health insurance in The Philippines
Covered from day one.
The dream is the easy part. Compare tailored expat health insurance quotes from trusted international insurers, in minutes and with no obligation.
Get health insurance quotes In partnership with Moving your belongings too? Get up to five free quotes from international moversSending money abroad? Compare money transfer rates
Your move plan
The Philippines, one step at a time.
Thirteen steps, in the order most people tackle them. Each one links to the guide that walks you through it.
- 01Check which visa fits your moveRead the guide : Check which visa fits your move
- 02Work out your monthly budgetRead the guide : Work out your monthly budget
- 03Arrange health cover for your moveRead the guide : Arrange health cover for your move
- 04Understand how the health system worksRead the guide : Understand how the health system works
- 05Bring your pet, if you have oneRead the guide : Bring your pet, if you have one
- 06Find somewhere to rentRead the guide : Find somewhere to rent
- 07Open a local bank accountRead the guide : Open a local bank account
- 08Know your residency steps after you arriveRead the guide : Know your residency steps after you arrive
- 09Find a doctorRead the guide : Find a doctor
- 10Understand your tax positionRead the guide : Understand your tax position
- 11Sort out your driving licenceRead the guide : Sort out your driving licence
- 12Set up a phone and internetRead the guide : Set up a phone and internet
- 13Plan schools, if you're moving with childrenRead the guide : Plan schools, if you're moving with children
Plan your move
Answers for your move.
Free tools that turn big questions about The Philippines into clear answers.
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- Compare cost of livingWhat your money is worth in The Philippines.01
- Check retirement affordabilityWhere your pension clears the requirement.02
- Find visa optionsEvery route you could qualify for.03
- Get moving quotesUp to five free quotes from international movers.04
- Compare money transfer ratesFor large international transfers.05
The complete picture
The The Philippines moving guide.
55 guides, from your visa to finding a vet. Start with the three most people need first.
Moving guide sponsored by- Start here · 01
Visas
Which visa fits your move, and how to apply.
- Start here · 02
Residency
Your residence permit, from first stay to long term.
- Start here · 03
Banking
Opening an account and moving money.
Visas, residency and work
6
Healthcare
7
Buying property
5
Health and wellbeing
8
Travel and transport
5
Driving and cars
5
Health cover designed for life in The Philippines
Whether you're relocating with your family, taking up a new role or retiring abroad, Cigna Global plans are built around expat life: worldwide cover, direct billing and 24/7 support in English.
You won't be the first
Real people who made the move.
People who built a life in The Philippines share what surprised them, what helped and what they'd do again. All The Philippines stories
- Calbayog City
Randy Landis
Randy Landis.Where, when and why did you move abroad?We moved from Tupelo, MS to Calbayog City, Samar, Philippines in 2013.What challenges did…
Bruce Curran
Bruce Malcolm Curran, originally from Scotland.Where, when and why did you move abroad? I first moved from the UK in 1987, when…
Chris Rice
I'm Chris Rice. A non-combat US veteran. Where, when and why did you move abroad? I moved to the Philippines to meet…
Fresh from The Philippines
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Understanding the Balikbayan Box Tradition When one thinks of the Philippines, images of white sandy beaches, colorful festivals, and delicious cuisine might come to…
Island Living: The Best Locations For Expats In The Philippines
This article looks at the best island locations for expats in the Philippines.
Retiring In The Philippines: Visa Requirements And Lifestyle
This article looks at how expats can retire to the Philippines and how to navigate visas, healthcare, and other factors.
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