Country Overview
Economic Overview
Currency: PHP — 57.70 per USD (-0.6% vs 1yr ago) Inflation: 2.0% current CPI (January 2026, PSA) · ~4.1% 5yr avg (2021–2025; peaked 6.0% in 2023)
Property & Ownership
Freehold ownership: No Mechanism: Foreigners generally use long-term leases (now up to 99 years), condominiums (subject to 40% foreign-unit cap), or corporate structures (subject to nationality rules). Restricted zones: Private land ownership remains restricted to Filipino citizens / corporations deemed Philippine nationals; condominiums limited to 40% foreign ownership per Condominium Act constraints. Recent changes: Republic Act No. 12252 (2025 update) — extends maximum allowable lease period for private land leases to a single 99-year term for qualifying foreign investors (see BOI Doing Business 2026 brief).
Visa & Residency Options
Expanded SRRV (Special Resident Retiree’s Visa) / SIRV (Special Investor’s Resident Visa)
- Min income: Varies by SRRV tier and PRA rules (see PRA official SRRV documentation)
- Investment: Varies by program tier; PRA to confirm for SRRV; SIRV bench figure cited at ~US$75,000 in BOI summary (confirm with BOI/PRA for exact thresholds)
- PR path: BOI document notes the Expanded SRRV provides permanent-residency provisions/benefits; consult PRA for exact entitlement and process.
- Exact deposit/thresholds and work permissions should be confirmed directly with PRA and BOI; regulatory changes effective 1 Sep 2025 are cited in the BOI brief.
Social Security & Tax
SSA benefits portable: Qualified Totalization agreement: None — SSA agreements overview US expat taxes: Greenback Tax Services — Philippines guide
City Guides
At a Glance
Most affordable
Cebu City (Cebu) — ~$1,200/mo
Most queer-friendly
Cebu City (Cebu) — limited legal protections