Getting help with living in the PhilippinesIntroduction

Help

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Theguide UKonly. governmentYou andshould get definitive information from the BritishPhilippine Embassyauthorities. inThe ManilaForeign, cannotCommonwealth give& personalisedDevelopment adviceOffice on(FCDO) movingis to,not livingliable orfor retiringany inaccuracies in thethis Philippines.information.

Professional

Our Support for British Nationals Abroad guide highlights how you can help inyourself stay safe abroad, and the Philippines

help the Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) can provide.

YouRead cangeneral alsoguidance geton helpmoving fromor English-speakingretiring professionalsabroad.

To instay theup Philippines,to including:date:

• lawyerssign up for email alerts
• translators
• notaries
• funeralfollow directorsthe British Embassy Manila on Facebook and Twitter

Help

Before fromyou go

See our travel advice for the UKPhilippines governmentfor up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.

Visas and residency

ReadCheck the entry requirements in our travel adviceadvice.

If you need to apply for thea Philippinesvisa before travelling to understandthe Philippines, contact the risksEmbassy youof maythe facePhilippines ifin London

If you liveare already in orthe visitPhilippines, contact the Philippines.Bureau Thisof includesImmigration thewith latestall informationvisa on:and immigration matters, including residency requirements.

• visas24/7 andHotline: entry+63 requirements(02) 8465 2400
• lawslandline: and+63 cultural(02) differences8524 3769
• safetyemail: immigPH@gmail.com, andxinfo@immigration.gov.ph
• satellite securityoffices: https://immigration.gov.ph/contact-us/other-immigration-offices

ReadYou ourrisk guidancea onheavy moving,fine, livingdetention orand retiringother abroad.severe penalties if you overstay your visa.

GetTo helpfind frommore theinformation UKon governmentretiring abroad, including in anthe emergency.

Visas,Philippines, residencycontact andPhilippine citizenship

MakeRetirement sureAuthority youor meetread the entryFAQs requirementson forpermanent theretirement Philippinesvisa beforeprepared youby travel.the Bureau of Immigration.

Visas

CheckSee whichSafety Philippineand visaSecurity in our travel advice youif needyou’re planning to livetravel inwithin the Philippines.

Passports and travel

You can getapply afor visaor to:renew your British passport from the Philippines.

• work
• study
• retire
• join

  Check family

the Philippines travel advice for passport validity requirements.

IfYou youcan wantget toan extendemergency yourtravel visa,document contact(sometimes yourcalled localan Bureauemergency ofpassport) Immigrationif office 

Foryou’re moreabroad, informationneed onto visastravel and othercannot immigrationget topics,a readpassport thein Philippinetime.

Healthcare Bureauin ofthe Immigration’sPhilippines

See frequentlyHealth askedin questions.our travel advice.

ContactThe thePhilippines Philippineand Retirementthe AuthorityUK fordo informationnot abouthave retiringreciprocal inhealthcare theagreements. Philippines,The includingNHS thehas Specialinformation Residentfor Retiree’speople Visa.moving abroad.

RegisteringHealth as a resident  insurance

IfMake you’resure stayingto longerbuy thancomprehensive 59travel daysand inmedical theinsurance Philippines,that youincludes mustcoverage apply for anfull ACRhospital I-Cardadmission, (Alienair Certificateambulance, ofmedical Registrationevacuation Identityfor Card)you and your family, and repatriation in mostthe cases.event of death.

OnceThe youavailability haveof yourmedical ACRcare I-Card,varies youacross mustthe reportPhilippines, inand personmay tonot meet the Bureaustandards of Immigrationcare everyin year.

Ifthe youUK. haveAlthough anyadequate problemsin ormajor questionscities, aboutmedical ACRcare I-Cards,is contact:

• yourlimited localin Bureaumore ofremote Immigrationareas, office
• anand English-speakingtreatment lawyercan be very expensive. Make sure to have adequate funds to cover full medical expenses in the Philippines

Permanentabsence residency

of a travel and medical insurance.

YouSee maythe bePhilippine ableHealth toInsurance getCorporation a(PhilHealth) visafor thatadvice giveson youqualification permanentfor orsocial indefinitehealth residencyinsurance benefits.

Most private hospitals in the Philippines dependinghave onan yourinternational personalliaison circumstances.

Todepartment findwith outEnglish-speaking ifstaff you’rewho eligiblewill andassist howpatients, totheir apply,relatives readand guidanceinsurance oncompanies. theSee differentour typeslist of Philippinemedical visasfacilities in the Philippines, includingand the SpecialDepartment Residentof Retiree’sHealth’s Visalist of hospitals.

CitizenshipMedical treatment

TheIf Philippinesyou recognisesneed dualemergency citizenshipmedical underassistance someduring circumstances.your Youtrip, dodial not911 haveand toask givefor upan (renounce)ambulance. You should contact your Britishinsurance citizenshipor tomedical becomeassistance company promptly if you are referred to a Philippinemedical citizen.facility Thefor lawstreatment.

If onyou dualare citizenshiphospitalised varyin dependingthe onPhilippines, whetherwe aim to contact you oras yoursoon parentsas werepossible bornafter inbeing thetold Philippines.

Tothat findyou outhave ifbeen you’readmitted eligibleto forassess Philippinehow citizenship:

• readwe thecan Commonwealthhelp Actyou. NoWe 473will ifthen neitheraim youto norprovide assistance according to your parentsindividual wereneeds. bornThis inmay theinclude Philippines
• checkvisiting Philippineyou Bureauif ofyou Immigrationare servicesvulnerable. ifIf you orwant, we can also contact your parentsfamily wereor bornfriends in the Philippines
• contactUK through the PhilippineForeign, BureauCommonwealth of& Immigration
• contactDevelopment theOffice Philippine(FCDO) Embassy in London

Help withto visa,tell residencythem andthat citizenshipyou applications

are in hospital.

TheIf Britishyou Embassyare insuffering Manilafrom cannotmental helpillness, withwe Philippinewill visa,do residencyour orbest citizenshipto applications.

Forhelp anyyou questionsfind orthe issues,support contact:

• theand Philippineadvice Bureauwherever ofyou Immigration
• theare. PhilippineThe EmbassyNational inCenter London
• anfor English-speakingMental lawyerHealth in(NCMH) theCrisis PhilippinesHotline

Passports andprovides travel

Readmental ourhealth guidancecrisis onintervention moving,through livingpsychological orfirst retiringaid abroad.and Thisprocessing coversby howphone to:

• applyas forwell as a Britishportal passportfor fromreferral abroad
• travelto urgentlyother withoutagencies yourthat Britishcan passport

Dualprovide citizensspecific travellingmental tohealth theservices UK

Whenas travellingneeded toin thevarious UK,parts Britishof citizensthe mustcountry carryon a valid24 Britishhours, passportseven-days ora certificateweek ofbasis entitlement.for Readfree. guidanceContact onthe dualNCMH citizenship.Crisis Hotline as follows.

Non-Filipino

• hotline: children1553
• mobile travellingnumbers: without+63 a(0)917 parent899 or8727 legal(USAP), guardian

+63 (0)966 351 4518, +63 (0)908 639 2672

ReadIf theyou entryare requirementsunder foremotional thestress Philippinesor forpressure, informationand onyou documentswould neededlike forto non-Filipinospeak childrento travellingsomeone withoutdirectly aabout parentyour orfeelings, legalcontact guardian .

Gettingthe clearanceBefrienders toWorldwide leavewith the Philippines

YouSamaritans, who may needbe anable emigrationto clearancegive certificateyou tomore leaveimmediate theemotional Philippines.support Readabout entryyour requirementswellbeing. forYou thecan Philippinesfind more information, including details of their 24/7 UK helpline on their website.

Healthcare

See inalso Samaritans for additional tips to look after yourself during the Philippines

pandemic.

Medication

ReadIf ouryou guidanceare on moving,a livingprescription for any medication, you should ensure you have a supply of it, or retiringare abroad.able Thisto coversobtain howit to:

• planwhen yourin healthcare
• takethe medicinePhilippines. abroad

TheCertain Philippinesmedicines doesmay not havebe aavailable reciprocalin healththe agreementPhilippines with(including major brands readily available in the UK.

MakeUK), sureand you havemay appropriatebe healthprohibited insurancefrom totaking coverthem anyinto healthcarethe costs.country. You canshould getconsult insuranceyour fromGP Philippinebefore andtravelling internationalto providers.the Philippines to find out about any alternative medication.

Read informationthe onguidance socialif insuranceyou healthneed benefitsto fortravel foreignwith nationalsmedicines.

ToPenalties findfor outimporting howand tousing getillegal medicaldrugs treatment:

• contactare yoursevere. insuranceDo provider
• readnot guidancecarry onanything healththrough incustoms thefor Philippines
• findsomeone English-speakingelse medicalunless facilitiesyou andknow doctorsexactly forwhat Britishit nationalscontains. inFor more information, you may contact the PhilippinesPhilippine Department of Health

Working inand theBureau Philippines

of Customs.

ReadIf ouryou guidanceneed onto moving,obtain livingprescribed ormedication retiringat abroad.a Thislocal coverspharmacy, workingyou abroad,should includingpresent documentsyour youoriginal mayprescription needor a letter from theyour UKdoctor government.

Tooutlining workyour inmedical condition, the Philippines,prescribed medicine and recommended dosage. Please consult with your GP or seek medical advice if you needare arunning worklow visaon supplies.

Working and alienDoing employmentBusiness permit.in Thethe PhilippinePhilippines

If Bureauyou ofare Immigrationplanning explainsto howmove to getthe aPhilippines workand visa.work, Theyou Philippinemay need a visa. Contact the Department of Labor and Employment hasfor guidance on howworking toin applythe forPhilippines anas aliena employmentforeign permitnational and how to get a visa.

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

• UK police certificate
• UK subject‘subject access requestrequest’
• Philippinelegalised NationalUK Bureaudocuments of(including Investigationbirth (NBI)certificates, marriage certificates and more)
• NBI clearance, if you’ve everpreviously lived or worked in the PhilippinesPhilippines.

Recognition

Read the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) guide on overseas business risk for information on how UK companies can control risks when doing business in the Philippines. Explore opportunities for exporting to the Philippines in our country guide on great.gov.uk.

Studying in the Philippines

The education system in the Philippines is currently implementing the K-12 program that covers Kindergarten and 12 years of qualificationsbasic education (one year of Kindergarten, six years of primary education, four years of Junior High School, and two years of Senior High School).

If you wantplan to workstudy in the Philippines, you maymust needmeet all visa requirements before you travel. For more information please refer to getthe yourPhilippine foreignDepartment qualificationsof recognisedEducation (DepEd).

Driving in the PhilippinesTax

ReadYou ourshould guidanceget professional advice on moving,paying livingtax orin retiringthe abroadPhilippines. Find an English-speaking lawyer in the Philippines.

Read Thisthe coversguidance how to:about:

• drivetax abroadif legallyyou leave the UK to live abroad
• taketax on your UK vehicleincome if you live abroad
• tax if you get drivinga licencepension letters

Readand aboutlive roadabroad

paying travelincome tax in the Philippines,Philippines

paying inNational safetyInsurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and securityentitlement into theother travelbenefits adviceand forallowances.

Benefits

There is no Social Security system in the Philippines. Thisfor includesforeign informationnationals.

Check onwhich drivingUK inbenefits country,you includingcan drivingclaim licencewhile rules.abroad

TheMany Philippineincome-related Landbenefits Transportsuch Officeas providePension informationCredit onand drivingHousing inBenefit thecannot Philippines,be includingpaid howif toyou’re applyabroad for amore licence. than 4 weeks.

Disabled drivers

Pensions

YouRead mayState bePension ableif toyou applyretire forabroad aand Philippinenew PWDState ID cardPension. ifContact youthe areInternational disabled.Pension Centre for further information.

Life certificates for UK state pensions

If you haveget a ‘life certificate’ from the UK BluePension BadgeService, andyou liveneed into therespond Philippines,as yousoon mustas returnpossible it– toyour thepayments originalmay UKbe issuingsuspended authority.if you don’t.

TaxMoney and banking

The currency in the Philippines is the peso (PHP).

ReadMost ourATMs guidanceand onshops moving,in livingtowns orand retiringcities abroad.usually Thisaccept coversinternational tax,credit includingcards. payingCash UKin taxsterling andor NationalUS Insurance.

Thedollars UKcan hasbe aexchanged doublefor taxationPhilippine agreementpesos withat the Philippinesairport, soin thatbanks, youhotels doand notsome payshops. taxScottish onand theNorthern sameIreland incomebank notes aren’t generally accepted. Buying foreign currency in boththe countries.Philippines can be difficult.

ContactSee the PhilippineCentral BureauBank of Internalthe RevenuePhilippines for anyinformation questionson aboutforeign doubleexchange taxation relief.regulations.

ConsiderFor gettinginformation professional advice on payingfinancial taxsupport inyou thecan Philippines.access Towhilst doabroad, this,visit findour anfinancial English-speakingassistance lawyer in the Philippinesguidance.

Pensions

ClaimingAccommodation yourand UKbuying pension

property

ReadSee our guidance onfor moving,buying livingproperty or retiring abroad. This covers:

• how

  Buying toproperty claimor yourland UKin State Pension

• where the UKPhilippines governmentis paysnot anstraightforward annualand increasedisputes inover thetitles Stateand Pension

Claimingownership aare Philippinenot pension

Contactunknown. theIt Philippineis Socialessential Securitytherefore Systemthat (SSS)anyone planning to findbuy outproperty whetheror youland canseeks claimlegal retirementadvice. benefitSee inour thelist Philippines.of English-speaking lawyers.

Benefits

ClaimingDriving UKin benefits

the Philippines

ReadVehicles ourin guidancethe Philippines drive on moving,the livingright orside retiringof abroad.the Thisroad coversand howcars tohave claimthe UKsteering benefitswheel abroad,on includingthe Childleft-hand Benefit.side.

Claiming

You Philippineshould benefits

Contactalways thecarry Philippinea Sociallocal Securitydriving Systemlicence (SSS)or tointernational finddriving outpermit whetherif you canplan claimto benefitsdrive in the Philippines. See Land Transportation Office (LTO) for advice.

YouPhilippine maylaw beprohibits entitledchildren toaged some12 Philippineor benefitsbelow iffrom youusing paidthe SSSfront contributions.

Buyingseat andof rentinga propertyvehicle. inA thechild Philippines

Readmay ourbe guidanceexempted onprovided moving,they livingare orat retiringleast abroad.150cm Thistall covers(4’11’’) buyingprovided andthey rentingcan propertybe abroad.

Foreignproperly nationalssecured cannotusing owna landregular seatbelt. Otherwise, children must sit in the Philippines.back Thereof arethe restrictionsvehicle onand owninguse property.a Contactchild anrestraint English-speakingsystem lawyeror ifcar you’reseat. consideringFailure buyingto property.comply with this requirement may result in a penalty.

See Driving abroad.

Voting

See invoting thewhen Philippines

UKyou’re elections

abroad.

ReadYou ourmay guidancebe onable moving,to livingvote orin retiringsome abroad.UK Thiselections. coversYou how to:can:

• votecheck inif UKyou electionsare fromable abroadto vote
• register as an overseas voter

Philippine

Births, elections

Youdeaths, cannotmarriage voteand incivil partnership

See Philippine lectionsStatistics unlessAuthority you’re(PSA) afor citizeninformation ofon how to register births, deaths and marriages in the Philippines. See PSA Serbilis to request for your certificates online.

Studying

Births

The inbirth of a child shall be registered within thirty (30) days from the Philippinestime of birth at the Local Civil Registry Office of the city/municipality where the birth occurred. See PSA advice for more information.

IfOnce you’ve registered locally you planmay also be able to studyregister inthe birth with the Philippines,UK youauthorities. mustSee meetour alladvice studenton visahow requirementsto register a birth abroad.

If beforeyour child has British nationality, you travel.do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.

Deaths

ForRegistration of death shall be made in the office of the Civil Registrar of the city/municipality where the death occurred within thirty (30) days from the time of death. See PSA advice for more information:information.

• read

  See guidancewhat onto traveldo grantsafter forsomeone studentsdies studyingand abroadbereavement orinformation onfor placementsthe (England)Philippines

  Getting married

• contact

  Find yourout higherhow educationyou providercan inget themarried UK or get a civil partnership abroad.

  You may also need:

  • an English-speaking lawyer in the Philippines
  • contactan theEnglish-speaking Philippinetranslator Commissionin onthe Higher EducationPhilippines

  ChildrenPets

  Pets may be allowed entry into the Philippines subject to the issuance of the proper import permit. Contact the Animal Health Division of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) for more information.

  ReadSee also travelling with pets.

  Emergencies

  If you are or know a British national in need of urgent help, for example you’ve been attacked, arrested or someone has died, please call our guidance24/7 hotline on moving,+63 living(02) or8858 retiring2200.

  You abroad.may Thisalso coversalert movingthe abroadlocal withauthorities children,by including:calling:

  • gettingNational permissionEmergency toAssistance: take911
  • Philippine yourNational childPolice abroadHotline: 117, +63 (02) 8722 0650 or +63 (0)917 847 5757
  • claimingPhilippine UKRed ChildCross: Benefit143 abroador +63 (02) 8527 8385 to 95
  • childPhilippine maintenanceDepartment paymentsof ifHealth: a+63 parent(02) lives8651 abroad7800 local 5003 5004, +63 (0)919 160 1418 or email to callcenter@doh.gov.ph

  Schools

  See andlist education

  Theof Philippine Departmentemergency of Educationhotlines.

  If providesyou informationare aboutin the schoolUK systemand concerned of a British national in the Philippines.

  AllPhilippines, childrencall agedthe 5Foreign, toCommonwealth 18and mustDevelopment attendOffice school(FCDO) orin homeLondon schoolon in0207 the008 Philippines.5000.

  Childcare

  TheIf Departmentyou ofhave Socialbeen Welfarethe andvictim Developmentof regulatesa childcarerape servicesor sexual assault in Philippines, read the Philippines.guidance Localon village,what wardto ordo districtand governmentwhere unitsto (‘barangays’)get aresupport responsiblein forcases runningof daycarerape centres.and sexual assault.

  YouIf shouldyou contactneed yourguidance barangayon tochild findabduction, outread whatthe daycareguidance facilitieson areinternational available.parental child abduction.

  Births,

  If deaths,you’re marriagesthe andvictim civilof partnerships

  Births

  Ifa yourcrime, childhave isbeen bornarrested, inor theare Philippines,affected registerby thea birthcrisis, atcontact yourthe localBritish civilEmbassy registryManila.

  See officealso Natural disasters.

  British citizenship

  ReadThere ourare guidancedifferent onways moving,to livingapply orfor retiringBritish abroad.citizenship This(or covers‘naturalisation’) howbased to:on your circumstances.

  • registercheck theif birthyou withcan thebecome UK authorities to get a UKBritish birth certificatecitizen
  • apply for yourcitizenship child’sif firstyou have British passportnationality

  Deaths

  ReadContact ourUK guidanceVisas onand moving,Immigration livingif oryou’re retiringnot abroad.sure Thisif covers:

  • whatyou’re toeligible or do afternot someoneknow dies abroad
  • how to registerapply.

    Returning theto death with the UK authorities

  If someoneyou dieslive in the Philippines,Philippines readand guidanceare on:

  • whatconsidering returning to whenlive someone dies in the Philippines
  • English-speakingUK funeral(for directorsexample inon theretirement), Philippines

  Marriagesyou should consider how you will support yourself and civilhow partnerships

  non-British members of your family may be able to accompany you.

  ReadPlease ourconsider guidancethe onentry moving,requirements, livingactions oryou retiringmay abroadneed to take. Thisand coversyour howaccess to getbenefits marriedto orhelp getyou amake civilinformed partnershipchoices abroad.if you are thinking about returning to the UK.

  Exit requirements

  ToHolders getof marriedTemporary Visitor Visa who have stayed in the Philippines,Philippines youfor mustsix applymonths foror amore, marriageor licencePhilippine-born atforeign yournationals localwho civilwill registrydepart office.

  Samefrom sexthe marriagesPhilippines andfor civilthe partnershipsfirst aretime, notor legallyImmigrant recognisedand inNon-Immigrant thevisa Philippines.holders Forwith informationvalid aboutACR LGBT+I-Cards rightswho inare leaving the Philippines,country readtemporarily guidancemust onsecure safetyan andEmigration securityClearance inCertificate (ECC) at least 72 hours before leaving the travelcountry adviceto foravoid being denied departure. You should refer to the PhilippinesBureau of Immigration.

  Divorce andwebsite separation

  Readfor ourinstructions, guidanceand oncall moving,+63 living(02) or8465 retiring2400 abroad.for Thisadvice coversif howyou tocan getsettle athis divorceat orthe endairport abefore civilyour partnership.departure.

  National Insurance

  DivorceIf isyou have not generallymade possiblefull inNational theInsurance Philippines.(NI) Considercontributions, takingremember legalyou advicemay fromnot anbe English-speakingeligible lawyerfor state benefits or support. HM Revenue & Customs provide some useful information on returning to live in the PhilippinesUK for non-residents, including how to understandmake yourNI options.contributions from abroad.

  Documents

  Healthcare

  Your forentitlement Britishto peoplefree inNHS treatment depends on the Philippines

  Readlength ourand guidancepurpose onof documentsyour forresidence Britishin peoplethe abroad.UK, Thisnot covers: 

  • legalisingyour andnationality. certifyingYou must be able to show UK documents
  • marriageresidency andto civilbe partnershipeligible documents
  • affirmationsfor andfree affidavits
  • witnessingtreatment, signatures

  Lawyers,even translatorsif andyou notaries

  Toare finda anBritish English-speakingcitizen. lawyer,The translatorCitizens’ Advice Bureau or notaryNHS incan theprovide Philippines,further readinformation.

  To guidancemove onyour professionalpension servicesto ifthe you’reUK, abroadcontact the International Pension Centre.

  Pets

  IfSee tax if you wantreturn to bringthe UK.

  See bringing your pet with you to the Philippines,UK.

  Other readuseful guidance on:

  information

  • bringingUK ahelp catand orservices dogin to the Philippines
  • takinglist yourof petLawyers
  • list dog,of catmedical orfacilities
  • list ferretof totranslators and interpreters
  • notarial and documentary services
  • bereavement pack
  • prisoner pack
  • Age UK: living wills
  • make, register or end a non-EUlasting countrypower of attorney

  Returning to the UKDisclaimer

  ReadThe returninginformation tocontained thein UKthese permanently.notes Thisis includesintended informationfor onyour bringinggeneral familyguidance membersonly. backWhile tocare thehas UK,been taxtaken andin accesscompiling tothese services.

  Disclaimer

  Wenotes, providethe thisaccuracy informationof asthe ainformation guidecannot only.be Forguaranteed definitiveand, information,of contactcourse, thelaw Philippineand authorities.

  Readprocedures ourmay consularchange informationfrom disclaimer.