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)/month USD
- 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
Each city guide covers local cost of living, healthcare, queer safety, disability access, race and ethnicity, and key risks specific to Cebu City (Cebu) and Manila.
At a Glance
Most affordable
Cebu City (Cebu) — ~$1,200/mo
Most queer-friendly
Cebu City (Cebu) — limited legal protections