Listen To The Audio Summary On Retiring To The Philippines
Philippines Retirement Visa Status : I am getting questions daily on if the Philippines SRRV visa program has restarted. I met with several representatives of the Philippines Retirement Association (PRA) to answer your questions.
- If you want to know more about retiring in the Philippines and get an overview of how to get a Philippines Retirement Visa, read the article below.
- If you already know you want to retire in the Philippines but need the latest visa program information from the PRA, read this article on the Philippines SRRV Visa Updates 2021.
Philippines Retirement Visa Key Summary:
The Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) is another name for a retirement visa in the Philippines. This SRRV program is the easiest path to legally retiring in the Philippines. With full support of the Philippine government, low financial requirements, and a minimum age of only 35 years old, the SRRV is the simplest long-term stay visa in Southeast Asia.
Living in the Philippines: Quick Facts
Currency: Peso
Languages: English and Tagalog
Capital: Manila
Cost of Living
Average Cost of Living, including rent, is ~65% LESS than the US. Manila, ranked 109th out of 210 cities in the world, is the most expensive city to retire to in the Philippines.
Health Care
A two-class system skews the ranking for the Philippines. Access to healthcare is available to Filipino citizens for free, but at low levels of care. Private insurance offers better quality, but still affordable healthcare similar to the US private insurance model. The high-quality, lower-cost (compared to the US) private healthcare system has put the Philippines on the map for medical tourism.
English Score
The world's leading location for English speaking outsourced call centers. 64% of the country's population speaks English. Most Filipinos under 35 will speak fluent English with a neutral accent.
Quality of Life
Dense city living leads to high pollution, long traffic times, and drives a lower Quality of Life. Living on the islands, in smaller towns, or out in the countryside increase this score dramatically.
What Is Retiring In The Philippines Like?
Do you dream of early retirement in a tropical paradise? The Philippines offers miles and miles of beaches to satisfy even the most die-hard beach fan. With over 7,600 islands, this archipelago nation offers expats and foreign retirees countless options. Early retirees and digital nomads looking for extended stays will find more than just fun and sun in the Philippines. From award-winning beaches, chill mountains, and UNESCO natural wonders to historic colonial sites, and adrenaline adventure parks, the Philippines can satisfy every interest.
El Nido Palawan is consistently ranked "The Best Island In The World."
Other Guides On Expat Life In The Philippines
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A Tropical Island Paradise
Do you enjoy spending your days sipping fresh-pressed juice on a sandy beach? The Philippines is home to Palawan, ranked the “Best Island in the World” by Conde Nast travel magazine. With aquamarine-colored water so blindingly blue, it makes the Caribbean Sea look like a Florida swamp. Palawan is also home to the Puerto-Princesa Subterranean River National Park, one of UNESCO’s Seven Natural Wonders.
Want your beach time to be a bit more active? The Philippines is also home to a Top 10 Surf break. Cloud 9 on Siargao Island is the annual site for the Siargao Cup – an international surfing competition. This famous Siargao Island surf break is known for its thick hollow tubes perfect for barrel riding surfers.
Grab some gear and explorer the Philippines from a different perspective. Did I mention that the Philippines is made up of over 7,100 islands? There are so many islands that, in 2016, a special government mapping project found 534 more islands. There are now officially 7,641 islands that make up the country.
The diving and snorkeling around these islands are world-class. There is an entirely different world underneath the waves with colorful coral reefs, massive whale sharks, miniature sea turtles, and endless schools of fish. With a varied landscape, both on land and underwater, the Philippines has a lot to offer expert scuba divers and beginner snorkelers alike.
Marco meeting one of Apo Islands residents
INSIDER TIP : Local Language- While English is widely spoken in the Philippines, picking up a few phrases in the Tagalog is always useful, especially outside of the major cities.
An Adventure and Nature Playground
Are you tired of your hair smelling like saltwater? The Philippines has captivating waterfalls with clear lagoons you can swim in all around the country. Or pamper yourself in the hundreds of hot spring resorts in Laguna. Oh, did we mention "Hundred"? Check out the marvelous Hundred Islands in Pangasinan. Beaches, waterfalls, mountains, hot springs, this country has an abundance of natural attractions, and we haven’t even mentioned the Banaue Rice Terraces in Bengue, the Chocolate Hills of Bohol, or the Mayon Volcano in Bicol.
Limunsudan Falls (870 ft/265 m) is a beautiful two-tiered cascade of water
Looking to relax less and adventure more? Spend time spelunking in the caves of Sagada or Danao. Even the mountains of Batangas and Rizal are waiting for you to be trekked and climbed.
The Philippines is a safe wonderland for foreign retirees who want to chill or relax, see beaches or mountains, or want to shop or surf. A couple of weeks or even a few months does not do the country justice. There are too many things to do and more islands to explore. Instead of traveling through, you will crave taking your time and exploring the country for an extended stay. The Philippines makes it too easy to call it home.
Does an American Need A Visa To Visit The Philippines?
Embassy of the Philippines, Washington DC
"No visa required for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days. Traveler must hold a valid ticket for the return journey to country of origin or next country of destination and a passport valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the stay in the Philippines."
Luckily, the Philippines is one of the best countries Americans, Canadians, and Europeans can relocate to long-term. US passport holders do not need a visa for stays less than 30 days. To visit longer than 30 days, you can apply for a 60-day visa. With visa extensions every two months, you can stay in the Philippines for up to three years (36 months) without ever having to do a Visa run! (Eat my shorts, Thailand!)
Expats can avoid visa overstay fees and penalties by legally retiring to the Philippines. Getting a permanent resident visa in the Philippines comes with significantly less hassle and requirements than neighboring Thailand or Indonesia. The Philippine government even created a "Lifetime Visa" and charted a dedicated agency, the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), to help you move to the Philippines. The PRA helps with your application and offers financial incentives to encourage retiring in the Philippines.
What Does It Cost To Retire In The Philippines?
Your cost of living in the Philippines can be 65% less than in the US. Living in the expensive capital, Manila, my monthly budget was between $1,500 to $2,000 per month. My life includes a western-style apartment in a trendy neighborhood, frequent meals out, an active social life, and weekly maid service. Life in smaller cities or the countryside can cost 50% less than in Manila.
The Philippines retiree visa requirements are much lower than other countries in SE Asia. A $20,000 deposit into a Philippine bank qualifies you to live in an affordable tropical paradise. The SRRV even allows early retirement with a minimum age of just 35 years old.
If you use a 4% Safe Withdrawal Rate (SWR), you can fund your retirement with about $450,000 in savings. By moving to this low-cost tropical oasis, you can take years off your FIRE date.