Living in the Philippines – GOV.UK

Getting help with living in the Philippines

Help from the Philippine government

For any questions about moving to or living in the Philippines, you may be able to get help from the:

The UK government and the British Embassy in Manila cannot give personalised advice on moving to, living or retiring in the Philippines.

Professional help in the Philippines

You can also get help from English-speaking professionals in the Philippines, including:

• lawyers
• translators
• notaries
• funeral directors

Help from the UK government

Read the travel advice for the Philippines to understand the risks you may face if you live in or visit the Philippines. This includes the latest information on:

• visas and entry requirements
• laws and cultural differences
• safety and security

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad.

Get help from the UK government abroad, including in an emergency.

Visas, residency and citizenship

Make sure you meet the entry requirements for the Philippines before you travel.

Visas

Check which Philippine visa you need to live in the Philippines.

You can get a visa to:

• work
• study
• retire
• join family

If you want to extend your visa, contact your local Bureau of Immigration office 

For more information on visas and other immigration topics, read the Philippine Bureau of Immigration’s frequently asked questions.

Contact the Philippine Retirement Authority for information about retiring in the Philippines, including the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa.

Registering as a resident  

If you’re staying longer than 59 days in the Philippines, you must apply for an ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card) in most cases.

Once you have your ACR I-Card, you must report in person to the Bureau of Immigration every year.

If you have any problems or questions about ACR I-Cards, contact:

Permanent residency

You may be able to get a visa that gives you permanent or indefinite residency in the Philippines depending on your personal circumstances.

To find out if you’re eligible and how to apply, read guidance on the different types of Philippine visas, including the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa.

Citizenship

The Philippines recognises dual citizenship under some circumstances. You do not have to give up (renounce) your British citizenship to become a Philippine citizen. The laws on dual citizenship vary depending on whether you or your parents were born in the Philippines.

To find out if you’re eligible for Philippine citizenship:

Help with visa, residency and citizenship applications

The British Embassy in Manila cannot help with Philippine visa, residency or citizenship applications.

For any questions or issues, contact:

Passports and travel

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• apply for a British passport from abroad
• travel urgently without your British passport

Dual citizens travelling to the UK

When travelling to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. Read guidance on dual citizenship.

Non-Filipino children travelling without a parent or legal guardian

Read the entry requirements for the Philippines for information on documents needed for non-Filipino children travelling without a parent or legal guardian .

Getting clearance to leave the Philippines

You may need an emigration clearance certificate to leave the Philippines. Read entry requirements for the Philippines.

Healthcare in the Philippines

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• plan your healthcare
• take medicine abroad

The Philippines does not have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK.

Make sure you have appropriate health insurance to cover any healthcare costs. You can get insurance from Philippine and international providers.

Read information on social insurance health benefits for foreign nationals.

To find out how to get medical treatment:

Working in the Philippines

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers working abroad, including documents you may need from the UK government.

To work in the Philippines, you need a work visa and alien employment permit. The Philippine Bureau of Immigration explains how to get a work visa. The Philippine Department of Labor and Employment has guidance on how to apply for an alien employment permit.

To apply for a job, you may need to provide a:

Recognition of qualifications

If you want to work in the Philippines, you may need to get your foreign qualifications recognised.

Driving in the Philippines

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• drive abroad legally
• take your UK vehicle abroad
• get driving licence letters

Read about road travel in the Philippines, in safety and security in the travel advice for the Philippines. This includes information on driving in country, including driving licence rules.

The Philippine Land Transport Office provide information on driving in the Philippines, including how to apply for a licence. 

Disabled drivers

You may be able to apply for a Philippine PWD ID card if you are disabled.

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in the Philippines, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority.

Tax

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers tax, including paying UK tax and National Insurance.

The UK has a double taxation agreement with the Philippines so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries.

Contact the Philippine Bureau of Internal Revenue for any questions about double taxation relief.

Consider getting professional advice on paying tax in the Philippines. To do this, find an English-speaking lawyer in the Philippines.

Pensions

Claiming your UK pension

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• how to claim your UK State Pension
• where the UK government pays an annual increase in the State Pension

Claiming a Philippine pension

Contact the Philippine Social Security System (SSS) to find out whether you can claim retirement benefit in the Philippines.

Benefits

Claiming UK benefits

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to claim UK benefits abroad, including Child Benefit.

Claiming Philippine benefits

Contact the Philippine Social Security System (SSS) to find out whether you can claim benefits in the Philippines.

You may be entitled to some Philippine benefits if you paid SSS contributions.

Buying and renting property in the Philippines

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers buying and renting property abroad.

Foreign nationals cannot own land in the Philippines. There are restrictions on owning property. Contact an English-speaking lawyer if you’re considering buying property.

Voting in the Philippines

UK elections

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• vote in UK elections from abroad
• register as an overseas voter

Philippine elections

You cannot vote in Philippine lections unless you’re a citizen of the Philippines.

Studying in the Philippines

If you plan to study in the Philippines, you must meet all student visa requirements before you travel.

For more information:

Children

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers moving abroad with children, including:

• getting permission to take your child abroad
• claiming UK Child Benefit abroad
• child maintenance payments if a parent lives abroad

Schools and education

The Philippine Department of Education provides information about the school system in the Philippines.

All children aged 5 to 18 must attend school or home school in the Philippines.

Childcare

The Department of Social Welfare and Development regulates childcare services in the Philippines. Local village, ward or district government units (‘barangays’) are responsible for running daycare centres.

You should contact your barangay to find out what daycare facilities are available.

Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships

Births

If your child is born in the Philippines, register the birth at your local civil registry office.

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to:

• register the birth with the UK authorities to get a UK birth certificate
• apply for your child’s first British passport

Deaths

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers:

• what to do after someone dies abroad
• how to register the death with the UK authorities

If someone dies in the Philippines, read guidance on:

Marriages and civil partnerships

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

To get married in the Philippines, you must apply for a marriage licence at your local civil registry office.

Same sex marriages and civil partnerships are not legally recognised in the Philippines. For information about LGBT+ rights in the Philippines, read guidance on safety and security in the travel advice for the Philippines.

Divorce and separation

Read our guidance on moving, living or retiring abroad. This covers how to get a divorce or end a civil partnership.

Divorce is not generally possible in the Philippines. Consider taking legal advice from an English-speaking lawyer in the Philippines to understand your options.

Documents for British people in the Philippines

Read our guidance on documents for British people abroad. This covers: 

• legalising and certifying UK documents
• marriage and civil partnership documents
• affirmations and affidavits
• witnessing signatures

Lawyers, translators and notaries

To find an English-speaking lawyer, translator or notary in the Philippines, read guidance on professional services if you’re abroad.

Pets

If you want to bring your pet with you to the Philippines, read guidance on:

Returning to the UK

Read returning to the UK permanently. This includes information on bringing family members back to the UK, tax and access to services.

Disclaimer

We provide this information as a guide only. For definitive information, contact the Philippine authorities.

Read our consular information disclaimer.