Asia · Filipino, English · updated 2026-10

Moving to the Philippines: visas, cost of living & citizenship

A single person needs about $1,000 a month to live in Manila, and a family of four about $2,150, including rent. The Philippines grants permanent residence from day one on its main route, with citizenship after 10 yrs, and dual citizenship is limited. You can move here without a job offer through the Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) and the Digital nomad visa.

Monthly budget

$1,000

Very low cost

Safety

Take care

Stability

Fragile

Family

Limited

Main city: Manila
Language: Filipino, English
Permanent residence: Day 1
Citizenship: 10 yrs
Dual citizenship: Limited
Digital nomad visa: Yes

What can your passport do in the Philippines?Pick your nationality to see your exact access, visit rules and personal score.

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Cost of living in Philippines, per month in US$

One person

$1,000

Family of four

$2,150

RentGroceriesTransportUtilities & internetEating out & leisureOther

1-bed flat, Manila centre

$450

Estimate

3-bed family flat

$850

Estimate

Price level

US = 100

Income per person

$404

GNI ÷ 12, World Bank

Safety

Safety score

Take care

Homicides per 100k

4.35

US 5.8 · UK 1.0 · Japan 0.2

Political stability & governance

Political stability

−0.84

Rule of law

−0.47

Control of corruption

−0.57

Government effectiveness

+0.19

−2.5 weak0strong +2.5

Worldwide Governance Indicators, World Bank. Fragile overall (31/100).

Family-friendliness

Family score

Limited

Child outcomes (HCI)

0.516

Health & schooling, 0–1

Under-5 mortality

26.5

per 1,000 births

Life expectancy

69.9 yrs

at birth

Health spending

$194

per person / year

Education spending

of GDP

Visa & residence routes

Passive income

Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)Permanent-type residence from age 50 with a $20,000 deposit ($50,000 from age 35).

Remote work

Digital nomad visaCreated by Executive Order 86 (2025), being rolled out on a reciprocity basis.

Job offer

9(g) work visaWith a Philippine employer.

Who gets easier access to the Philippines

The Philippines is not part of a free-movement area in the index.

Visiting: 159 passports can visit visa-free, 0 with an electronic travel authorisation, 0 get a visa on arrival, 0 can apply for an eVisa and 39 need a visa in advance (Passport Index dataset).

Road to permanent residence & citizenship

ArrivePRCitizen024681012+ yrs

Permanent residence: Day 1; Via SRRV retiree residence (from age 35 or 50)
Citizenship: 10 yrs
Dual citizenship: Limited

Last checked 2026-10. Official source: immigration.gov.ph

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to live in the Philippines?

About $1,000 a month for one person and $2,150 for a family of four in Manila, including rent. A city-centre 1-bedroom flat costs around $450 a month and a 3-bedroom around $850. Prices are 36% of US levels. The Philippines is the 7th cheapest of the 76 countries in the index.

Is the Philippines safe to live in?

The Philippines scores 35/100 for safety (take care), ranking 65th of 76. The homicide rate is 4.35 per 100,000 people (US 5.8, UK 1.0, Japan 0.2).

Is the Philippines politically stable?

The Philippines scores 31/100 for stability (fragile), ranking 70th of 76, based on the World Bank's indicators for political stability, rule of law, control of corruption and government effectiveness.

Is the Philippines good for families?

The Philippines scores 26/100 for family-friendliness (limited), ranking 72nd of 76. Life expectancy is 69.9 years and under-5 mortality is 26.5 per 1,000 births.

How long does it take to get permanent residence in the Philippines?

The main route grants permanent residence on arrival. Via SRRV retiree residence (from age 35 or 50).

How long until I can become a citizen of the Philippines?

Usually 10 yrs of residence. Dual citizenship: limited.

Can I move to the Philippines without a job offer?

Yes. Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV): Permanent-type residence from age 50 with a $20,000 deposit ($50,000 from age 35). Digital nomad visa: Created by Executive Order 86 (2025), being rolled out on a reciprocity basis.