Living in the Philippines as an Expat: Manila, BGC, Cebu and the SRRV

The Philippines is one of Southeast Asia's most welcoming — and most underrated — destinations for expatriates. More than 7,600 islands, a tropical climate, warm and genuinely hospitable people, and a country that conducts much of its daily life in English make it immediately accessible for UK and international arrivals. The cost of living is genuinely affordable, the retirement visa (SRRV) is one of the region's most established, and the long-standing expat communities in Manila, BGC, Cebu, and Davao provide social infrastructure from day one.

The Philippines is not without complexity: typhoon risk, healthcare quality that varies significantly outside major cities, a bureaucratic environment that can be slow, and local property ownership restrictions are all real factors to understand before committing.

Where to Live

Metro Manila is the national capital region — a dense, sprawling conurbation of 17 cities. Most expatriates avoid Central Manila proper and gravitate towards specific enclaves:

Bonifacio Global City (BGC), also known as "The Fort", in Taguig is the premium choice. Purpose-built on former US military land, it has wide pavements, low crime, high-rise condominiums, excellent restaurants and retail (high street and international brands), hospitals, and international schools. It is walkable by Philippine standards. Property values are among the highest in the country.

Makati is the long-established financial district — Ayala Avenue, Greenbelt, Rockwell Center. Slightly older infrastructure than BGC but excellent amenities and a well-established expat community. Rockwell in particular is a premium gated mixed-use development with strong security.

Alabang (Muntinlupa) in the south of Metro Manila is popular with families, offering more suburban space, lower noise, and good international schools. More car-dependent but calmer.

Cebu City on Cebu island is the country's second city and a popular alternative to Manila — smaller, easier to navigate, and with its own international school and hospital infrastructure. It is also the gateway to some of the Philippines' finest diving and beach resorts. Cebu Business Park and Cebu IT Park are the expat-centric hubs.

Davao in Mindanao has grown in profile as a clean, well-managed city under its previous mayor. Lower cost than Manila or Cebu; strong durian culture and access to Mount Apo. Security has improved markedly but Mindanao overall carries a higher perceived risk profile; Davao itself is generally considered safe.

Palawan and Siargao attract digital nomads and lifestyle expats more than corporate relocatees — superb natural environment, limited services.

Visas and Residency

The Philippines has several long-stay visa options:

SRRV — Special Resident Retiree's Visa: issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). Following a programme restructure that took effect on 1 September 2025, the minimum age was raised to 40 (previously 35/50 depending on sub-type), and the SRRV Smile and Human Touch categories were abolished — only the SRRV Classic and SRRV Courtesy options remain. It is a renewable indefinite-stay visa with multiple-entry capability.

Financial requirements under the restructured SRRV Classic depend on age and whether a qualifying pension is held (broadly, a lifetime pension of at least USD 800/month single or USD 1,000/month with dependants):

• Age 50+: around USD 15,000 deposit with a qualifying pension, or USD 30,000 without
• Age 40–49: around USD 25,000 deposit with a qualifying pension, or USD 50,000 without
• Deposits must be placed with a PRA-accredited Philippine bank (typically as a time deposit or invested in PRA-approved instruments); they can be converted for approved investments (property purchase, business) after an initial period. The PRA has revised these terms before, so current figures should be confirmed with the PRA or an accredited agent.

SRRV holders can own condominium units (subject to the 40% foreign ownership cap on buildings). They may not own land directly.

9(g) Pre-arranged Employment Visa: for those with a Philippine employer or secondment.

Special Investor's Resident Visa (SIRV): for investors making qualifying investments of at least USD 75,000 in SIRV-eligible industries.

13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa: for spouses of Filipino citizens.

Philippine immigration has a reputation for bureaucratic complexity; professional assistance from an immigration lawyer is recommended for all routes.

Tax

The Philippines taxes residents on worldwide income. A resident alien (non-citizen holding a long-stay visa) is generally taxed on income from Philippine sources. Foreign-sourced income remitted to the Philippines by a resident alien is also subject to income tax in some circumstances.

Income tax rates are progressive, reaching 35% on income above PHP 8,000,000 per year. Capital gains on listed Philippine shares are subject to a transaction tax; unlisted shares and real property attract separate CGT rates.

The Philippines and the UK have a double taxation convention. However, the Philippines' tax rules for expatriates involve some complexity — particularly regarding what constitutes Philippine-source versus foreign-source income for SRRV holders who are not employed. Tax advice from a Philippine CPA or law firm is necessary before establishing residency.

Healthcare

Healthcare quality in the Philippines is variable. In Metro Manila (BGC, Makati), Cebu City, and Davao, private hospitals are good to excellent. Beyond major urban centres, options become limited and medical evacuation may be necessary for serious conditions.

Leading private hospitals include:

• Makati Medical Center — long regarded as Manila's flagship private hospital
• St. Luke's Medical Center (BGC and Quezon City) — modern facilities, international-standard specialist care
• The Medical City (Ortigas, Pasig)
• Chong Hua Hospital (Cebu)

International health insurance from Bupa, AXA, or Cigna is strongly recommended. PhilHealth (the national health insurance) is not suitable for expatriate needs as the sole coverage.

Medical evacuation insurance is advisable for anyone spending significant time outside Metro Manila or Cebu.

International Schooling

The Philippines has a good international school offering in Metro Manila and Cebu, partly driven by a large corporate expatriate community and a significant returning Filipino diaspora.

• International School Manila (ISM): well-regarded, US-accredited, in Taguig near BGC. One of the premier international schools in Southeast Asia.
• Brent International School: American curriculum; campuses in Pasig, Baguio, and Subic.
• British School Manila: British curriculum, Taguig.
• Chinese International School Manila: popular with Sino-Filipino and Chinese expatriate families.
• Cebu International School: Cebu City.

Fees range from PHP 350,000–1,500,000 per year depending on school and level.

Property Ownership

Foreigners cannot own land in the Philippines. This is constitutional and cannot be circumvented by nominee arrangements. Foreigners can:

• Own condominium units (subject to the rule that foreign ownership in any single condominium project cannot exceed 40% of total units).
• Own a business structure (corporation) which can own property — but majority Filipino ownership requirements apply.
• Hold land on long-term leases (up to 50 years, with a 25-year renewal option under the Investors' Lease Act).
• Own land as the spouse of a Filipino citizen.

The SRRV deposit can be converted to purchase a condominium unit after required holding periods. Condominium ownership in BGC, Makati, or Cebu is the practical route for most expatriates seeking real property exposure.

Cost of Living

The Philippines is genuinely affordable for Western expats on international income streams.

• Rent: PHP 80,000–200,000/month for a quality three-bedroom condo in BGC or Rockwell. Provincial areas are considerably cheaper.
• Domestic helpers (kasambahay): widely employed; a full-time live-in helper earns approximately PHP 6,000–12,000/month plus statutory benefits.
• Eating out: PHP 2,000–6,000 for a restaurant meal for two in BGC; street food and local restaurants PHP 200–600 per person.
• International schools: see above — fees are below comparable schools in Singapore or Hong Kong.

A comfortable expatriate lifestyle for a family of four in BGC or Makati, with international school fees, private healthcare, and a full-time helper, can be maintained for PHP 250,000–500,000/month (approximately GBP 3,500–7,000 at 2026 rates).

Banking Access

Philippine banks — BDO, BPI, Metrobank, UnionBank, Citibank Philippines, HSBC Philippines — serve expatriates. SRRV holders can open accounts; required documentation includes the SRRV visa, passport, and proof of address. HSBC and Citibank offer the most internationally connected services for HNW clients.

Remittance from abroad is straightforward; the Philippines has high inbound remittance volumes (overseas Filipino worker flows) so the infrastructure is well-developed.

Practical Tips

• Language: Filipino (Tagalog) and English are both official languages. English is widely spoken across business, education, and urban daily life — often better than in many other ASEAN countries.
• Climate: tropical — hot, humid, with a wet season (June–October in most regions). Typhoon belt; properties in exposed coastal areas should be assessed for typhoon resilience.
• Barangay system: the Philippines is governed at a highly local level via barangays (villages/districts). Barangay clearances are needed for various administrative purposes. The system can be bureaucratic.
• Traffic: Metro Manila's traffic is notorious. Most expats factor in long commute times and use apps (Grab) for rides. BGC's internal walkability is a genuine advantage.
• Power and internet: internet quality in BGC and major urban centres is adequate to good. Occasional typhoon-related outages; UPS backup is common in condos.

Compliance note: Tax and immigration rules in the Philippines change. The SRRV terms are set by the PRA and have been revised historically. This guide is informational only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Consult qualified Philippine advisers.

How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments advises HNW individuals exploring Southeast Asian bases, including the Philippines. We can connect you with Philippine immigration lawyers, introduce condominium investment specialists in BGC and Cebu, and help you evaluate the Philippines in the context of a broader regional property or residency strategy. Contact our team for a confidential conversation.