Why Should You Consider Retiring in the Philippines

If you're interested in retiring overseas, you may have a taste for adventure, or you might want a place with beautiful scenery where you can enjoy a leisurely lifestyle. The Philippines offers both relaxation and excitement, along with many other benefits that range from social to financial. Some retire to the Philippines to be close to family and loved ones, while others seek new connections with friendly people from a new culture.

Study the following top reasons to consider retiring in the Philippines. 



  • Engaging culture: Choosing to live in the Philippines for your retirement provides you with ample opportunities to experience an enriching culture surrounded by art, music, and food. You can explore the thousands of inhabited islands, tasting local dishes like kare-kare and discovering the country's rich historical influences.
  • Natural beauty: The Philippines supports various natural landscapes, including soaring mountains, lush forests, and sweeping beach shorelines. Wherever you live, beautiful vistas are within reach.
  • Affordable living: You can enjoy a relatively low cost of living in the Philippines, with perks like affordable housing and tax benefits for retirees from foreign countries.
  • Welcoming ex-pat community: Many foreign residents live in the Philippines, with the 2010 census reporting over 177,000 ex-pats residing in the country. This demographic makes it easy to bond with other retirees from your home country and other nations.
  • Strong religious values: Retiring in the Philippines can be desirable for people of the Christian faith because the population is predominantly Catholic.


Visiting the Philippines

When considering a permanent move to the Philippines, start by planning a visit where you can explore different parts of the country and determine whether you enjoy the lifestyle enough to retire there in the long term. Taking a vacation where you spend time with Filipino citizens and experience local customs can help you envision your daily life, including leisure activities and your day-to-day activities like shopping, eating meals, and traveling around town. Try to plan a visit during both dry and rainy seasons so that you can get a realistic understanding of the weather conditions you experience with island living.



During your visit, consider hiring a local guide or booking a homestay with a host family so that you can ask in-depth questions about life in the Philippines. Filipinos are known for excellent hospitality, and you can expect to easily make connections and learn their genuine perspective about what it's like to move to the Philippines. They can also introduce you to social opportunities and connect you with the ex-pat community in a specific area.


Choosing Where to Live

Choosing Where to Live



Once you're committed to retiring to the Philippines, it's time to decide which area of the country you want to choose for your next home. Because of the diversity of the landscapes, you have many options, including big cities with busy nightlife and quiet, peaceful neighborhoods. You can choose to settle in a major city or select a small town near both modern amenities and natural areas.


Explore this brief overview of some of the larger cities in the Philippines you may consider:


  • Manila: The capital city of the Philippines, Manila is a popular choice for people seeking modern city life and excitement.
  • Quezon City: If you're looking for access to nightlife and entertainment, consider settling in Quezon City, which has the highest population of any city in the Philippines.
  • Angeles City: About two hours outside Manila, Angeles City is a popular destination for singles and offers nightlife activities such as clubs, bars, and casinos.
  • Cebu: Retirees with an adventurous and outdoorsy lifestyle may enjoy living in Cebu, a modern city with access to both cultural sites and activities like scuba diving.


These mid-sized cities provide a more rural lifestyle with the benefits of modern amenities:


  • Cavite City: Surrounded by beautiful beaches, Cavite City has a strong community of retirees and a range of high-quality amenities.
  • Tagaytay: With fewer than 100,000 people, Tagaytay is ideal for retirees interested in a quiet mountain home with a cool climate.
  • Dumaguete: This island community provides its large retiree population with a small-town feel through a range of local dining options and natural attractions.
  • Subic: Living in Subic is ideal for those seeking a beach lifestyle where you can go island hopping and explore the many coves along the shoreline.

The Cost of Living in the Philippines

Understanding the costs associated with retiring in the Philippines can help you start saving up for a seamless transition overseas. The average monthly living cost for a single person in the Philippines is only $601, including rent, food, and transportation. For a family, the average monthly expenses are $1,542.


Rent is typically the most significant portion of your costs as a retiree in the Philippines. You can often rent a luxurious townhouse with ocean views in the Philippines for the same price you may pay for a small apartment in another country. The city you choose and the type of housing accommodations you choose can significantly impact your monthly expenses, with big cities often charging higher prices than small rural towns.


As a foreign retiree in the Philippines, it's also essential to consider the cost of plane tickets for your initial move and any visits back to your home country. Moving your belongings can also add up. Consult with an international moving company to get a quote for the cost to move your items overseas.

Getting Your Retirement Visa

To become a long-term resident in the Philippines, start filling out an application with the Philippine Retirement Authority. The Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) is a popular option because you can qualify as long as you're 50 or older, deposit at least $10,000 into a bank in the Philippines, and earn a pension of $800 or more per month. If you're retiring with a partner, the total pension requirement for both people is $1,000. You can also deposit $20,000 instead of $10,000 to waive the pension requirement.


Setting up your Philippine bank account and transferring your initial visa deposit is the first step toward your international retirement. Look for a large bank that provides extensive services and has positive reviews from customers. Review some of the accredited banks from the Philippine Retirement Authority that you can use to start your bank account:


  • Banco de Oro.
  • Bank of Commerce.
  • Development Bank of the Philippines.
  • KEB Hana Bank.
  • Philippine National Bank.
  • Shinhan Bank.
  • Union Bank.


When applying for your SRRV, it's essential to have these basic requirements ready:

  • An updated passport with a visitor's visa.
  • Bank Certification for the visa deposit.
  • Medical clearance.
  • Police clearance from your native country.
  • Current photographs.
  • A one-time $1,400 processing fee.


Bringing Your Loved Ones

As you embark on your adventure to the Philippines, you can go alone to meet new people or bring your family along with you. If you want to bring your spouse or children, you're in luck with the SRRV. Your spouse and one child, or up to two unmarried children under the age of 21, can join you and gain indefinite resident status when you apply with an SRRV. You only have to pay a one-time $300 processing fee for each additional person. You can also bring additional children younger than 21, but your visa deposit increases by $15,000.

Accessing Health Care

Retirees in the Philippines who have the SRRV can enjoy access to PhilHealth, the national health care program in the Philippines. This program provides you with affordable doctor's visits, day surgeries, preventive care, and other types of medical treatment that you may need throughout your retirement. Major cities throughout the Philippines have excellent hospitals and medical facilities, and even smaller towns often have access to quality health care.

Creating Your Home

Only Filipino citizens can own land in the Philippines, but retirees can purchase townhomes and condos. You can invest your visa deposit into a long-term rental or choose to buy a condominium in a luxury community. Discover beautiful properties that meet your needs by exploring nearby neighborhoods on foot or talking to locals about rental opportunities. English is a widely spoken language in the Philippines, and it's easy to get to know your neighbors and start building a community.


Choosing to retire in the Philippines can allow you to participate in a welcoming culture and get to know some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. With authentic local experiences and fun tourist events, you won't lack ways to spend relaxing afternoons and late nights. Making new connections and immersing yourself in the Filipino culture will make you wonder why you didn't move and pursue retiring in the Philippines earlier.

Contact Info

Philippines:

102B, Pearl of the Orient Tower, Roxas Blvd Barangay 667, Manila, 1002 Philippines


New Hampshire :

P.O. Box 8 
Salem, NH 03079


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