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Philippines
Asia
Lucky Nomads World Index
63.71 / 100
Global rank
#123
Corporate tax
25%
Personal tax
35%
Lucky Nomads Proprietary Indices
22 scoring dimensions scored independently using a deterministic methodology built on primary sources and structured analytical inference.
- SafetyShield Index6.0 / 10
- Affordability Index7.9 / 10
- Entry Ease Index5.1 / 10
- Tax Freedom Index5.2 / 10
- WiFi Index7.4 / 10
- Admin Ease Index6.5 / 10
- Healthcare Index6.7 / 10
- City Comfort Index7.3 / 10
- WeatherComfort Index6.1 / 10
- Banking Index5.3 / 10
- GeoStability Index5.5 / 10
- Justice & Order Index4.6 / 10
- Quality of Life Index6.3 / 10
- Open Society Index5.9 / 10
- Flight Index4.0 / 10
- Environmental Quality Index7.0 / 10
- English Index6.7 / 10
- Wealth Protection Index7.4 / 10
- AI Access Index6.4 / 10
- Economic Openness Index7.3 / 10
- Market Depth Index7.0 / 10
- ClimateShield Index5.5 / 10
Country snapshot
- Capital
- Manila
- Population (approx.)
- 117,000,000
- Area (km²)
- 300,000 km²
- Currency code (ISO 4217)
- PHP
- Currency name
- Philippine peso
- Main airport IATA code
- MNL
- Airport name
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport
General facts
- Minimum monthly cost
- From $964/month
- Main languages
- English, Filipino
- Jurisdiction type
- Country
- Region
- Asia
- Web TLD
- .ph
- Phone calling code
- +63
Web TLD and phone codes are general references and can differ for territories or special numbering plans.
Tax system
- Marginal CIT (corporate income tax)
- 25%Very highWorldwide
- Marginal PIT (personal income tax)
- 35%HighWorldwide
Corporate taxation basis: Worldwide. The country generally taxes worldwide income of resident companies.
Domestic corporations taxed on worldwide income under Section 23(E) NIRC, with foreign tax credit available for taxes paid abroad. Foreign-source dividends received by domestic corporations may be exempt subject to reinvestment in Philippine operations within the next taxable year (Section 27(D)(4) NIRC as amended by CREATE). Resident foreign corporations and nonresident foreign corporations are taxed on Philippine-source income only.
Headline 25% Regular Corporate Income Tax under CREATE Act 2021 (Republic Act 11534), reduced to 20% for domestic corporations with taxable income at or below and total assets at or below . CREATE MORE Act 2024 (RA 12066) grants Registered Business Enterprises a 5% SCIT on gross income or 20% Enhanced Deductions Regime for up to 17 years (IPA) or 27 years (FIRB above investment). Minimum Corporate Income Tax of 2% of gross income.
Personal income tax basis. Worldwide. Resident individuals are generally taxable on their worldwide income, subject to relief under applicable tax treaties.
Resident citizens taxed on worldwide income under Section 23(A) NIRC. Non-resident citizens, Overseas Filipino Workers, resident aliens and non-resident aliens engaged in trade or business are taxed on Philippine-source income only (de facto territorial for these classes). Foreign tax credit available for residents under Section 34(C)(3) NIRC.
TRAIN Law graduated rates 0% to 35% effective January 2023. Top 35% rate applies to taxable income above (approximately USD 142,000). Self-employed individuals with gross sales at or below may elect an 8% flat tax on income above in lieu of graduated rates and percentage tax. No wealth tax. Estate tax flat 6% under TRAIN.
Tax percentages here are editorial reference figures for comparison, not individualized tax advice.
Special tax regimes
For companies
Income Tax Holiday (ITH) under CREATE MORE
AvailableFull income tax exemption of 4 to 7 years granted to Registered Business Enterprises (RBEs) approved by an Investment Promotion Agency or the Fiscal…
5% Special Corporate Income Tax (SCIT) under CREATE MORE
AvailablePreferential 5% tax on gross income earned in lieu of all national and local taxes, local fees and charges.
Enhanced Deductions Regime (EDR) under CREATE MORE
AvailableReduced 20% Corporate Income Tax rate combined with enhanced deductions on labor, training, R&D, power costs (100% additional deduction), trade…
Regional Headquarters (RHQ) corporate tax exemption
AvailableTax-exempt administrative branch of a foreign multinational corporation that acts solely as supervisory, communications and coordinating center for…
Renewable Energy Developer regime (RA 9513)
AvailableSeven-year Income Tax Holiday followed by a 10% corporate income tax rate on net taxable income for developers of biomass, geothermal, solar, hydro,…
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) regime
AvailableStock corporation owning income-generating real estate or infrastructure assets, taxed at the standard 25% RCIT but allowed to deduct distributed…
Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE)
AvailableFull income tax exemption on operating income for micro businesses with total assets not exceeding PHP 3 million (excluding land), engaged in…
Foreign Currency Deposit Unit (FCDU) regime
AvailableTax exemption for income derived by Philippine depository banks under the expanded foreign currency deposit system from foreign currency…
For individuals
Barangay Micro Business Enterprise (BMBE)
AvailableFull income tax exemption on operating income for micro businesses with total assets not exceeding PHP 3 million (excluding land), engaged in…
Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA)
AvailableVoluntary tax-advantaged retirement savings vehicle inspired by the US IRA and 401(k).
You either qualify for the Philippines' special tax regimes, or you don't. GeoCompass determines your eligibility, highlights the applicable conditions, and helps estimate your potential tax exposure.
Check my eligibilityVisa and mobility
Your access
Visa need and length of stay for Philippines. Saved on your device.
Overview
- Citizenship by investment
Not currently available
- Residence by investment
Available
- Remote work visa (digital nomad visa)
Available
Programmes
Philippines lists several residency and mobility routes across residence by investment, business founder routes, work (employer sponsored), talent (outstanding), retirement routes, family and dependant routes, and remote work visas. Lucky Nomads tracks these programmes as editorial reference points. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass against your exact profile.
9 programmes listed · 9 are marked available in our editorial review
Residence by investment
1 programmeCapital, property, fund, or declared investment routes that can lead to longer-term residence.
- Available
Special Investors Resident Visa (SIRV)
Business founder routes
1 programmeFounder, entrepreneur, or company-linked pathways for people building a business locally.
- Available
Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG)
Work (employer sponsored)
2 programmesEmployer-linked permits and skilled employment passes for hired professionals.
- Available
Pre-Arranged Employment Visa (9(g))
- Available
Special Non-Immigrant Visa (Section 47(a)(2))
Talent (outstanding)
1 programmeOutstanding achievement or high-calibre talent categories.
- Available
Quota Immigrant Visa (Section 13)
Retirement routes
2 programmesRetirement-age or pension-linked residence options.
- Available
Special Resident Retirees Visa (SRRV) Classic
- Available
Special Resident Retirees Visa (SRRV) Courtesy and Expanded Courtesy
Family and dependant routes
1 programmeSpouse, dependant, and family reunion style permits.
- Available
Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage (Section 13(a))
Remote work visas
1 programmeRemote work or digital nomad style permits.
- Available, rules being updated
Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
Not all residency routes are accessible. Some require minimum income, investment thresholds, local substance, or strict eligibility conditions. GeoCompass evaluates which options you can actually secure in the Philippines.
Evaluate my residency optionsVisa and programme labels reflect editorial research, not individualized legal advice. Thresholds, documents, and personal eligibility are evaluated in GeoCompass. Always confirm rules with official government sources before you plan a move.
Dimensions breakdown
Strongest dimensions
- Affordability Index7.9 / 10Competitive cost of living
- WiFi Index7.4 / 10Reliable remote-work internet
- Wealth Protection Index7.4 / 10Strong wealth protection index
Weakest dimensions
- Flight Index4.0 / 10
- Justice & Order Index4.6 / 10
Published ranks by index
One row per leaderboard we publish (the composite index plus each proprietary dimension). A rank appears only when this country is currently in the published top 10 for that list. Open a row to see the full ranking. Hover an index name for the same short definition as elsewhere on the site.
This jurisdiction is not in the published top 10 on any of these lists right now.
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Founder, Lucky Nomads · Wealth manager
Researched from official sources, leading global indices and Lucky Nomads' own scoring.
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