Expert guides
Structured, expert-curated knowledge on Philippine bureaucracy, documents and daily admin. Free to read, transparent by design.
21 guides
BDO vs BPI vs Metrobank: Banking Comparison for Expats
Compare BDO, BPI and Metrobank for expat banking in the Philippines: minimums, fees, apps, foreign-currency accounts and which one fits your situation.
Cost of Living in Manila 2026
How much does it really cost to live in Manila?
Cost of Living in Davao 2026
How much does it really cost to live in Davao?
Can Expats Get SSS, Pag-IBIG & PhilHealth Back When Leaving?
The complete guide to recovering your mandatory contributions when leaving the Philippines. Pag-IBIG is refundable. SSS and PhilHealth are not — but there are smart strategies.
Philippine Money Exchange Rates Guide
The Philippine peso trades in a relatively narrow band and major fluctuations are rare but possible during economic crises. This guide covers exchange rate basics for expats: when to convert, how to monitor rates, and practical strategies for managing currency risk during your stay.
Cryptocurrency in the Philippines: regulation and practical risks
How crypto is regulated in the Philippines — BSP licensing for exchanges, the tax treatment of crypto gains, and the scams that target expats.
Digital Banking Wallets Expats Philippines
GCash and Maya dominate Philippine digital payments — setting up a wallet early makes daily life dramatically easier. GCash is ubiquitous but foreign KYC can be difficult without an ACR I-Card; Maya has simpler verification and issues a physical Visa debit card. This guide covers SIM registration for foreigners, GCash vs Maya comparison, and the best ways to move money internationally (Wise, Remitly, bank SWIFT).
Investing in the Philippines: PSE stocks, REITs and funds
How foreign residents can invest in the Philippine market — opening a brokerage account, the PSEi, REITs, dividend taxation, and the risks to understand before starting.
Cryptocurrency in the Philippines
Legal status and exchanges for crypto.
Currency Exchange Money Tips Philippines for Expats
The Philippine peso (PHP/₱) is the official currency with rates that fluctuate — always check current rates before exchanging. This guide covers practical money tips for expats: where to exchange, how to avoid bad rates, and what to know about the peso in daily transactions.
Remittance Services Compared
Which service gives the best rates.
Sending Money Philippines Guide
Sending money to the Philippines: compare the complete cost including exchange rate, sending fee, receiving fee. A service advertising no fee may still profit from the exchange rate.
Spanish Pension Philippines Inss Sss for Expats
Spanish retirees in the Philippines can claim INSS pensions thanks to the bilateral Social Security agreement between Spain and the Philippines. The convention allows totalisation (combining contribution periods from both countries), proportional payment from each system, and yearly proof-of-life filing from the Philippines. This guide covers the real-world workflow: what the agreement does, how to claim, and the documents needed.
VA Pension in the Philippines: Eligibility, Payments, Setup
How veterans receive VA pension in the Philippines: eligibility rules, the Manila VA office, international direct deposit, annual verification, COLA and taxes.
Opening a US Bank Account from the Philippines
How to access US bank accounts from the Philippines.
Gcash Maya Foreigners Verification Philippines for Expats
GCash and Maya are essential for daily life in the Philippines — QR payments are everywhere, from market stalls to taxis. Foreigners face a two-track reality: short stays (under 59 days) can use GCash GTourist or Maya's limited features; long stays (59+ days) need an ACR I-Card for full verification and the ₱100,000 wallet cap. Supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
Cost of Living in Cebu 2026
How much does it really cost to live in Cebu?
Opening Bank Account Expat Philippines
Opening a Philippine bank account as an expat: which bank to choose (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, Security Bank), the ACR I-Card requirement, documents to prepare, source-of-funds questions under anti-money-laundering rules, restrictions for short-term visitors, and safer banking habits like two-factor authentication and transaction alerts.
Social Security Benefits Overseas in the Philippines
Receiving Social Security while living in the Philippines.
Investing in the Philippine Stock Exchange: Stocks and REITs for Expats
Open a PSE brokerage account (COL, BPI, AB Capital, Unicapital): requirements, GCash funding, trade and dividend taxes, a blue chips + REITs starter portfolio.
Us Social Security Medicare Philippines for Expats
American expats in the Philippines: Social Security retirement benefits continue and direct deposit works with BDO, BPI and Metrobank — return the Alive and Well questionnaire promptly. SSI stops after 30 days abroad; SSDI continues. Medicare does not pay outside the US — keep Part A, think twice before dropping Part B (10% annual penalty). The Federal Benefits Unit at the US Embassy Manila handles SSA services.
Every guide is community-edited and reviewed by moderators. Revision history, contributors and official sources are public on each page. Promotional edits are reverted.