Moving to Philippines From the UK: A Guide for Expats

Moving to the Philippines from the UK takes careful planning. In this guide you will learn which visa you need, how healthcare, banking and tax work for expats, what to expect from the cost of living, housing, safety and daily life, and how Abels packs and ships your belongings, so you can plan your move before you go.

The Philippines at a Glance

The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands in South East Asia, grouped into three main regions: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Its land area is larger than the UK’s, and its two official languages, Filipino and English, are widely spoken across the country. That is a real practical advantage for UK families moving to the Philippines, and English is more widely spoken here than in many other countries in the region.

Metro Manila is the capital region and main business hub. Cebu City and Quezon City are among the other major cities, each a growing centre for outsourcing and shipping in its own right, and many expats prefer to live in major cities like Manila and Cebu. Beyond these big cities, much of the Philippines moves at a more relaxed pace, from small provincial towns to rural areas built around agriculture and fishing. The country is also known for its natural wonders, from the beaches of Boracay to the Chocolate Hills of Bohol and many other islands, and for a rich culture shaped by Spanish colonial rule and, later, American administration either side of World War II. That history is part of why English remains so widely spoken in the Philippines today.

Moving to the Philippines from the UK involves more than booking a shipping container, whether you’re moving for work, retirement, study or family. Visas, healthcare, banking, tax residency and the cost of everyday life all need planning well before your departure date. Alongside this sits the logistics of getting your belongings there. If this is your first move to southeast Asia, it pays to plan early. This guide covers visas, healthcare, banking, tax, work, cost of living, importing your belongings and settling in, so you know what to plan before you go. Abels handles the export packing, freight and destination delivery of your possessions, and you can also download our Philippines relocation guide (PDF) for a shorter overview.

Visas for moving to Philippines from UK

The appropriate visa for moving to Philippines from UK depends on why you’re moving and how long you plan to stay. Unlike a Philippine citizen, a UK national needs a valid visa to live and work in the Philippines long term, and visa requirements vary with the purpose of your stay. Most work and long-stay visas can also cover family members joining you, although the visa application process and supporting documents differ for each category. The Philippine Bureau of Immigration lists every visa category and its requirements. Check that you hold the necessary visa before you book flights or ship your belongings.

Tourist visa

British passport holders can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism or business, as set out in the UK government’s entry requirements for the Philippines. A regular tourist stay is 30 days, so a long-term move always needs a different visa route. You’ll need to register through the eTravel system within the 72 hours before you arrive, and your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival date. If your paperwork for a longer-term visa will take longer than six months to complete, you can apply for an extension to the initial 30 days once you’re in the Philippines, through the Bureau of Immigration.

Work visa and the Alien Employment Permit

Most UK nationals relocating for work will need the 9(g) Pre-Arranged Employment Visa, issued by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration to foreign nationals with a confirmed job offer and an employment contract from a Philippine employer. You must have your work visa in place before you start working, and UK government guidance on living in the Philippines notes you will need an Alien Employment Permit as well. Before the visa can be granted, the employer typically needs to secure the Alien Employment Permit (AEP) from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on your behalf. You may also be asked for a UK police certificate, and foreign qualifications may need recognition. Your employer’s HR team, or a Philippine immigration lawyer, will usually manage both the work permit and the visa application process. It’s still worth starting as early as possible, since it runs alongside your contract negotiations. If you plan to work remotely as a digital nomad, check with the Bureau of Immigration which visa applies to you before you travel.

Marriage-based visa

If you’re moving to join a Filipino spouse, the 13(a) Immigrant Visa by Marriage is the relevant route. It is also issued by the Bureau of Immigration and grants residency on that basis, rather than through employment or retirement.

Student visa

Those moving to the Philippines to study at a Philippine institution apply for a Student Visa (9F) through the Bureau of Immigration, sponsored by the receiving school or university. Family members of a student visa holder generally need their own appropriate visa rather than being included automatically.

Retiring in the Philippines: the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)

The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) suits UK nationals aged 40 and over who are considering retiring in the Philippines or a longer-term move. It is administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) and grants permanent residency with multiple entry and indefinite residency. It requires a deposit held in the Philippines, and the amount depends on your age and whether you receive a pension. Application fees also apply. Confirm the current requirements directly with the PRA, and check the foreign currency equivalent with your bank, because exchange rates move between quote and transfer. Spouses and dependent family members can usually be included on the same application.

Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR I-Card)

If you stay in the Philippines for longer than 59 days, you will in most cases need an Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) and must report in person to the Bureau of Immigration every year. Keep your ACR I-Card safe, because banks and PhilHealth may ask for it.

Health insurance and healthcare in the Philippines

According to UK government travel health advice, the availability of healthcare services varies across the Philippines and may not meet UK standards, particularly in rural and remote areas, and public healthcare often falls short of what many UK expats expect. There is no reciprocal health agreement between the UK and the Philippines, and private healthcare can be expensive, particularly for intensive care. For this reason, robust private international health insurance, arranged before you leave the UK, is strongly recommended. It should cover medical treatment, the move itself and your first months of residency. The same guidance flags a heightened risk of dengue during the rainy season from June to October, so mosquito precautions are worth building into your settling-in routine alongside your usual UK vaccinations.

Once your residency status is confirmed, healthcare can become more affordable. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) accepts foreign nationals who hold an SRRV or an Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR I-Card). Contributions are a percentage of declared monthly income, within a floor and a ceiling, so check the current rate and limits with PhilHealth. PhilHealth covers treatment at accredited hospitals, but many expats treat it as a complement to private health insurance, not a replacement for it.

Opening a bank account and managing your money

Most major Philippine banks will open a personal bank account for a foreign national, whether resident or non-resident, on production of a valid passport or an Alien Certificate of Registration plus the bank’s standard identification checks, so opening a local bank account requires proper documentation. Requirements and any minimum balance vary by bank and by your residency status, so confirm the current list with your chosen bank before you travel, particularly if you’re opening an account before your visa is finalised. Some international banks also offer services for expats, and your UK bank may be able to help with the transition.

For the move itself, transferring money in and out of the Philippines at a fair foreign currency exchange rate matters, whether you’re funding an SRRV deposit, a rental deposit, or the value of your home. Abels’ currency exchange service is designed to help with exactly this kind of transfer alongside your relocation, so you’re not left to arrange it separately once you’ve left the UK.

Income tax and tax residency

If you’ll earn income in the Philippines, or spend more than six months there in a tax year, take professional advice on your tax residency early. Philippine income tax rules depend on your residency status and the source of your income, so who has to pay tax, and on what, is worth getting right rather than assuming your UK arrangements carry over. The UK and the Philippines have had a double taxation convention in force since 1978, and a tax adviser can factor it into your situation to avoid being taxed twice on the same income.

Expat Philippines: the job market for UK expats

The Philippines has a large, internationally connected job market, particularly in business process outsourcing, IT services, finance and customer support, concentrated in Metro Manila and Cebu City. Multinational companies in these sectors regularly hire foreign nationals into management, training and specialist roles, and many expats secure remote employment or positions tied to multinational firms. There are also opportunities in international and private schools for British teachers, and higher education has openings for those joining Philippine universities. Teaching English is a well-established route for British expats, especially through private schools and language centres.

What’s realistic for you depends on your qualifications, your visa route and which city you settle in. Local wages are low compared with UK standards, so research pay in your own field before committing to a start date.

Cost of living in the Philippines for UK expats

Living in the Philippines is frequently described by expats as low cost compared with the UK, particularly for rent, domestic help, food and transport. Food and transport in particular remain affordable. Costs vary depending on where you settle, and a great deal between Metro Manila, Cebu City and rural areas, and housing in the most popular expat neighbourhoods carries a premium over a one bedroom apartment further out. Manila is generally the most expensive area.

A tenancy agreement typically asks for a security deposit plus advance rent, similar in principle to the UK, so budget for this alongside your relocation costs. Accommodation options include townhouses, apartments and family homes, gated communities and modern condominiums in urban centres. Rather than working from a single average figure, research costs for your target city and lifestyle. A diverse range of housing options exists, whether you’re a single person, a couple or a larger family.

Most expats rent rather than buy in their first years, and there’s a legal reason beyond caution. If you are thinking about whether you can purchase property, note that under the 1987 Constitution, land in the Philippines can only be owned by Filipino citizens, and the same applies to corporations that are at least 60% Filipino-owned. Direct land ownership isn’t an option for a UK national, because foreigners cannot legally own land. Condominium units are the exception: the Condominium Act allows foreign nationals to own units in a building, up to that building’s 40% foreign-ownership quota. Anyone considering buying should take Philippine legal advice on the structure before committing.

Safety, climate and getting around in the Philippines

Check the UK government’s foreign travel advice on safety and security in the Philippines before you go. The Philippines has a relatively high crime rate in some areas, and crime is especially prevalent in cities such as Manila, where robberies and scams target tourists and foreigners, so take sensible precautions against petty crime in busy parts of cities. Terrorism also remains a threat in parts of the country, which the travel advice covers in detail. The Philippines is exposed to typhoons and other natural hazards, and its tropical climate brings high humidity and a typhoon season, so find out how your chosen area is affected and what local warnings look like. Traffic congestion in Metro Manila is heavy, and ride-hailing apps such as Grab are widely used in cities alongside taxis and public transport. Healthcare, safety and transport access all vary a lot between a major city and a rural area, which is worth weighing up when you choose where to live.

Practical advice before you leave your home country

What you need to arrange before you leave the UK depends on your visa route and work permit status, whether you’re moving alone or with family members, and how much of your household you’re bringing. As a general checklist for most UK citizens moving to the Philippines:

For a broader list, see our moving abroad checklist, with tips for packing and what to leave behind, or download the Abels Philippines relocation guide (PDF) to keep the key points to hand.

Planning your move: export packing and shipping to the Philippines

When moving to the Philippines, speak to a specialist international removal company rather than a domestic mover, given the distance involved and the customs process at the other end. Abels recommends a home survey for full house moves, where an International Customer Service Manager visits you in person. Once you’ve booked, a Customer Liaison Move Coordinator works on behalf of your Customer Service Manager to manage the process.

Everything travelling to the Philippines by sea is protected with export packing, using a 6-ply paper blanket or a tough bubble blanket rather than standard UK removal wrapping, as part of Abels’ wider packing services. Your possessions are handled several times between the UK and the Philippines: loaded, moved by road to port, lifted on and off the vessel, and unloaded again at destination. Fine art, grandfather clocks, barometers and other delicate or specialist items are packed separately, with custom cases built for the piece, and our fine art and antiques removals team can advise on pieces that need extra protection.

Larger volumes and full house moves ship in a 20ft or 40ft container. Smaller volumes can ship as part-load (LCL) via Abels’ warehouse. Abels’ guidance is to allow approximately 8 to 11 weeks door to door for sea freight. Part-load shipments depend on consolidation, so collection and delivery dates are confirmed once your consignment is being planned, not fixed in advance. If you need part of your move to arrive faster, airfreight is available, with approximately 2 weeks door to door to allow for UK and Philippine security and customs assessments. At the Philippines end, Abels works with destination partners that normally hold the FIDI-FAIM quality award, who help with customs clearance and delivery, including unpacking. If your departure and arrival dates don’t line up, Abels also offers storage solutions in the UK.

Full detail on shipping methods and routes is covered in our guide to international removals services.

Importing personal items into the Philippines

Personal items and household effects entering the Philippines are subject to customs declaration and customs clearance, and import duty may apply depending on your circumstances. Not everything can travel in an unaccompanied shipment. Our guide to items not to include on an overseas move covers prohibited goods and items that need declaring at customs, and flags possessions that may sit outside your MoveProtect cover. The Abels Philippines relocation guide (PDF) also outlines the documents needed for different residency categories and the restricted items to avoid, although customs rules change, so always confirm the current position before you ship. Your Abels Move Coordinator will talk you through anything specific to your Philippines shipment.

The Bureau of Customs duty-free allowance for personal and household effects is aimed at returning Filipino residents, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and Overseas Filipinos resettling in the country. As a UK national moving for the first time, don’t assume it applies to your shipment, and plan for the normal customs assessment instead.

You may come across “balikbayan boxes” while researching your move. These are the duty-free parcels sent home by OFWs and Filipino nationals temporarily abroad, within limits set by the Bureau of Customs. That allowance is for qualified Filipino nationals, not UK citizens relocating to the Philippines, so balikbayan boxes are not a substitute for a full household move. It’s a useful distinction to know before relying on advice aimed at a different audience.

Importing a motor vehicle and driving in the Philippines

If you plan to bring a UK vehicle, importing it is a separate process through Philippine customs, with its own paperwork and duty assessment, distinct from your household shipment. Abels’ vehicle transportation service covers the shipping side, so raise it with your coordinator early.

Once you’re in the Philippines, UK government travel advice confirms you can drive on a valid UK driving licence for up to 90 days. After that, you’ll need a Philippine licence from the Land Transportation Office (LTO). The conversion rules, including the medical certificate from an LTO-accredited clinic and whether you’ll need to sit a practical test, can change, so check the current requirements with the LTO before you travel. UK travel advice also notes that road accidents are frequent, mainly because of poor road conditions, dangerous driving and weak enforcement of traffic laws. Take extra care around motorbikes and scooters and avoid driving at night where you can. Metro Manila and the other major cities are also known for heavy traffic, so allow for longer journey times once you’ve chosen a neighbourhood.

Moving pets to the Philippines

A dog or cat moving with you needs a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) from the Philippines’ Bureau of Animal Industry, which is valid for only 60 days, so time your application against your confirmed travel date. You’ll also need proof of microchipping, vaccination and anti-parasite records covering both internal and external parasites, and a UK health certificate. The Bureau of Animal Industry currently limits a single importation to 3 animals. Requirements can change, so check directly with the Bureau of Animal Industry before you travel. Abels’ own guide to moving with pets covers the practical side of the journey itself, including air travel advice for pets.

Living in the Philippines: culture, climate and popular destinations

Away from the practicalities, living in the Philippines as an expat means a rich culture and a relaxed pace of life outside the big cities, with Spanish and American influences visible in its architecture, food and language alongside the country’s own distinct traditions. Family is at the core of Philippine society, and social harmony is valued, so expect a warm welcome and a more indirect style of communication. The Philippines has a tropical climate with a distinct wet season, so factor this into both your moving dates and your choice of housing, whether you settle in one of the larger cities or somewhere quieter. According to the United Nations Development Programme, the Philippines’ Human Development Index value stood at 0.720 in 2023, placing it in the “high human development” tier.

Popular destinations include the beaches of Boracay, the Chocolate Hills and diving spots of Bohol, and the historic Spanish quarter of Intramuros in Manila. Many expats use their early months to explore beyond Metro Manila before settling into a longer-term routine, and a foreign language barrier matters less than expected given how widely English is spoken. That holds whether your move is a career posting, a retirement plan, or a fresh start for the whole family.

Why choose Abels for moving to Philippines from UK

Abels Moving Services is a UK moving company and a Royal Warrant holder for removals and storage. This is an accreditation held by only a small number of UK removals companies, alongside FIDI FAIM Plus and BAR membership. You can read what recent customers say about their move in our customer reviews, and our moving FAQs cover the questions we’re asked most often. That’s whether your move to the Philippines is for work, retirement or family reasons.

We want you to think of Abels for this move and the one after that, wherever in the Philippines, or the rest of the world, you’re headed next.