Southeast Asia for US travelers. The Philippines gets the most detail. Every tip links to its source.
Every fact links to its source. Last checked Oct 18, 2026. Anything we could not confirm from an official source is marked [unverified].
Guides for Americans planning to retire in the Philippines, built from official sources (PRA, SSA, Medicare, PhilHealth, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine laws, State Department) and checked Oct 18, 2026.
Join the newsletter and get it free: a 5-page printable, step-by-step checklist covering visas (SRRV and 13(a)), budget, Social Security, healthcare and property rules, with links to every guide.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Informational only, not legal or financial advice.Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page (Kiwi.com flight search, Airalo eSIMs and SafetyWing Nomad Insurance) are affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Government links are never affiliate links, and commissions don't change what we write.
Deposits, fees and documents for the Special Resident Retiree's Visa, from PRA.
Read the guide →Monthly costs and rents for Manila, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Dumaguete and more.
Read the guide →Dumaguete, Cebu, Davao, Baguio, Subic/Clark, Iloilo, Manila compared.
Read the guide →SSA FBU Manila, peso direct deposit and Medicare limits.
Read the guide →What Medicare, Medigap and Part D do (and don't) pay for abroad, and the Part B decision.
Read the guide →Who can enroll, where, the published premiums and excluded benefits.
Read the guide →SafetyWing, Cigna Global, IMG, Allianz, PhilHealth and Maxicare/Intellicare compared from official pages.
Read the guide →Condos (40% cap), land restrictions, leases and the Filipino-spouse question.
Read the guide →Permanent residence for foreign spouses of Filipino citizens, from the Bureau of Immigration.
Read the guide →Medicare generally won't pay for care in the Philippines. If you are under 64, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is one option you can buy online; it doesn't cover pre-existing conditions, and retiree-age prices are quote-only. Get a SafetyWing Nomad Insurance quote → · Compare all options in our health insurance for expats guide.
Affiliate link: SafetyWing may pay us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Money in the Philippines · Sending money · Safety · Immigration (US visas for Filipino spouses) · Visas & Entry
Most people who retire here visit first, often for a month or more. Compare flights from the US to the Philippines on Kiwi.com · see our Flights to Manila guide · stay connected with an Airalo Philippines eSIM (eSIM guide). Arriving? Read NAIA airport guide and eTravel registration.
Subscribe and use our free Philippines First-Timer Checklist (printable version): eTravel, passport validity, eSIMs, cash, typhoon season and more.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.